The grave of Raffaello Morghen, Santa Croce, Florence

Raffaello Morghen (19 June 1758 – 8 April 1833) was an Italian engraver.

Life

He was born in Naples, apparently to a German family of engravers. He received his earliest instructions from his father, himself an engraver; but, to obtain more advanced training, he was placed as a pupil under the celebrated Giovanni Volpato. He assisted this master in engraving the famous pictures of Raphael in the Vatican City, and the print which represents the ''miracle of Bolsena'' is inscribed with his name. He married Volpato's daughter, and, being invited to Florence to engrave the masterpieces of the Florentine Gallery, he removed thither with his wife in 1782. His reputation now became so great as to induce the artists of Florence to recommend him to the

grand duke Grand duke (feminine: grand duchess) is a European hereditary title, used either by certain monarchs or by members of certain monarchs' families. In status, a grand duke traditionally ranks in order of precedence below an emperor, as an approxi ...

as a fit person to engrave the ''Last Supper'' of Leonardo da Vinci; apart, however, from the dilapidated state of the picture itself, the drawing made for Morghen was unworthy of the original, and the print, in consequence, although an admirable production, fails to convey a correct idea of the style and merit of Leonardo. Morghen's fame, however, soon extended over Europe; and the Institute of France, as a mark of their admiration of his talents, elected him an associate in 1803. In 1812

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

invited him to Paris and paid him the most flattering attentions. He died in Florence. He is buried in the

Church of Santa Croce The ( Italian for 'Basilica of the Holy Cross') is the principal Franciscan church in Florence, Italy, and a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. It is situated on the Piazza di Santa Croce, about 800 meters south-east of the Duomo. T ...

in Florence.

Works

A list of the artist's works, published at Florence in 1810, comprised 200 compositions; the number was afterwards considerably increased. Other than those mentioned above, the most notable include his engravings of Raphael's ''

Transfiguration Transfiguration(s) or The Transfiguration may refer to: Religion * Transfiguration of Jesus, an event in the Bible * Feast of the Transfiguration, a Christian holiday celebrating the Transfiguration of Jesus * Transfiguration (religion), a mo ...

'', a ''Mary Magdalene'' by Murillo, a ''Head of the Saviour'' by da Vinci,

Guido Reni Guido Reni (; 4 November 1575 – 18 August 1642) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, although his works showed a classical manner, similar to Simon Vouet, Nicolas Poussin, and Philippe de Champaigne. He painted primarily religious ...

's '' Aurora'', Poussin's '' A Dance to the Music of Time'' and '' The Flight into Egypt'', Domenichino's ''

Archery Contest of Diana and her Nymphs ''The Archery Contest of Diana and Her Nymphs'' is a 1616 oil-on-canvas painting by the Italian artist Domenichino. The painting is also known as ''Diana and her Nymphs after the Hunt,'' ''Diana Hunting,'' and even ''The Hunt of Diana.'' It was ...

'', Van Dyck's ''Portrait of Francesco de Moncada'' and anonymous portraits of Dante, Petrarch,

Leonardo Leonardo is a masculine given name, the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese equivalent of the English, German, and Dutch name, Leonard Leonard or ''Leo'' is a common English masculine given name and a surname. The given name and surname originate ...

, Ariosto, Tasso and other famous men. They also include engravings of

Antonio Canova Antonio Canova (; 1 November 1757 – 13 October 1822) was an Italian Neoclassical sculptor, famous for his marble sculptures. Often regarded as the greatest of the Neoclassical artists,. his sculpture was inspired by the Baroque and the cl ...

's '' Theseus and the Minotaur'' and the same sculptor's monument to Pope Clement XIII. His prints have hardly maintained the reputation which they enjoyed during the artists lifetime. Though carefully and delicately executed, they are somewhat mechanical and wanting in force and spirit. Giovanni Folo of Bassano was a pupil of Volpato, then of Morghen himself.

Giovacchino Cantini Giovacchino Cantini (c. 1780–1844) was an Italian engraver, active in Florence as one of Raffaello Sanzio Morghen's most successful pupils. He engraved a ''Virgin and Child, with Saints Sebastian & Anthony'' after Fra Bartolommeo; a ''Virgin with ...

was also a pupil of Morghen.

References

*
Catholic Encyclopedia article
*Iscrizioni e memorie della città di Firenze By Francesco Bigazzi (googlebooks) pages 178–179. {{DEFAULTSORT:Morghen, Raffaello Italian engravers 1758 births 1833 deaths