Herminia and the Shepherds, c. 1780
Engravingexpand_more
Gift of Mr. Anthony M. Clark, 1962expand_more P.12,964
Not on Viewexpand_more
This engraving was made for Don Vincenzo Aulicino of Naples, who likely owned Guercino's "Erminia and the Shepherds" sometime after it left the collection of Don Antonio Ruffo. Collectors frequently commissioned engravings for inventory purposes or as a visual record of highlights of their connoisseurship.
The process of engraving was both costly and time-consuming, yet by the 17th century it had become the most popular means of reproducing works of art. First, a drawing of the painting was made (in this case by Salvatore Cascini, whose name appears under the image). Then, working from both the drawing and the painting, the engraver rendered the image - in reverse - by incising furrows into a metal plate. Remaining faithful to the original design and manner of the master required a skilled hand. By varying the thickness of the lines and using cross-hatching to achieve shading and texture, Morghen created an illusion of coloristic depth, modeling and light effects that conveys the formal subtleties of Guercino's painting.
Details
- Title
- Herminia and the Shepherds
- Artist Life
- (Bologna), 1591–1666
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.12,964
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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