Virgin Fainting Before the Sepulchre - Carlo Gregori

A 1739 etching and engraving by Carlo Gregori, depicting the Virgin Mary in a moment of profound grief before the sepulchre, after a composition by Raphael.

This fine art print is an etching and engraving by the Italian printmaker Carlo Gregori, dated 1739. It reproduces a composition attributed to Raphael, depicting the Virgin Mary collapsing in grief before the tomb of Christ. The scene is set in a rocky, desolate environment, with the sepulchre carved into a cliff face on the right. A group of figures, including the Virgin and accompanying women, occupy the foreground, their postures conveying a sense of sorrow and physical exhaustion. A standing figure, likely representing Saint John, watches over the group with a mournful expression.

Gregori employs a refined technique of cross-hatching and stippling to create subtle gradations of tone, which define the drapery of the garments and the rugged texture of the surrounding rock. The background features a distant, atmospheric view of a town and a body of water, providing a sense of scale and spatial depth. The composition follows the conventions of the period, prioritising clarity of narrative and emotional expression through the arrangement of the figures. The print bears the inscription 'Raphael Urb. Pinxit' on the left, acknowledging the original painter, and 'Carol. Gregori delin. et sc. 1739' on the right, confirming Gregori's role as both the draughtsman and the engraver.

This work reflects the 18th-century practice of disseminating the compositions of Renaissance masters through high-quality reproductive prints. By translating the painterly qualities of the original into the linear language of the copperplate, Gregori allows for a detailed examination of the composition's structure and narrative focus. The print is presented on paper, maintaining the monochromatic aesthetic typical of the era's printmaking traditions. It serves as a clear example of the technical skill required to translate complex religious iconography into a portable and reproducible format.