The Family of Princess Bariatinski - Raphael Morghen

A refined Neoclassical engraving by Raphael Morghen, depicting the family of Princess Bariatinski with technical precision and balanced composition.

This engraving by Raphael Morghen depicts the family of Princess Bariatinski, a work historically misidentified as the family of Holstein-Beck. Morghen, a master of the burin, translates the original composition by Angelica Kauffman into a highly controlled tonal field. The scene features a seated woman in the foreground, surrounded by standing figures and a classical bust, set against a backdrop of architectural columns and heavy drapery.

The composition adheres to the aesthetic principles of the late eighteenth century. The figures are arranged with a sense of balance and theatricality, reflecting the influence of Neoclassical portraiture. Morghen employs a sophisticated system of cross-hatching and stippling to render the textures of the clothing, the smooth marble of the bust, and the soft light filtering through the archway. The inclusion of a coat of arms and poetic inscriptions at the base of the print aligns with the conventions of aristocratic portraiture of the period, intended to convey status and familial virtue.

Raphael Morghen was a significant figure in the history of printmaking, known for his technical precision and his ability to replicate the nuances of paintings. His work was widely collected across Europe, as it allowed the public to engage with the compositions of famous painters like Kauffman. This print demonstrates his capacity to manage complex light and shadow, creating a sense of depth within a two-dimensional medium. The figures are rendered with a focus on grace and poise, characteristic of the era's idealised approach to portraiture. The print remains a record of the social and artistic climate of the late 1700s, capturing the intersection of private family life and public display.