A masterfully executed 18th-century copper engraving by Domenico Cunego, depicting the Greek philosopher Plato. This piece is part of a celebrated series based on Raphael’s fresco “The School of Athens” in the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City.
This striking portrait showcases Cunego’s technical prowess in line engraving. The work captures Plato with a profound, contemplative expression, characterized by his flowing beard and classical drapery. The stipple and cross-hatching techniques create a remarkable sense of three-dimensionality, honoring the original Renaissance aesthetic while showcasing the precision of the Neoclassical period.
Plato is one of the central figures in Raphael’s fresco. In this depiction, he is shown as an elder philosopher, traditionally believed to bear the likeness of Leonardo da Vinci. As the founder of the Academy in Athens, Plato’s presence in this series symbolizes the pursuit of metaphysical truth and the idealistic foundations of Western philosophy.
Domenico Cunego (Italian, 1726–1803)
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, 1483–1520)
Copper Engraving / Etching
Circa 1785
Scuola d’Atene (The School of Athens)
Laid paper (typical of late 18th-century European prints)
Rome, Italy
Domenico Cunego was a prominent Italian engraver of the 18th century, renowned for his ability to translate the grandeur of Renaissance frescoes into the delicate medium of copperplate. This series, published in Rome during the 1780s, served a vital role in disseminating the imagery of Raphael’s “Stanze” to a wider European audience of scholars and collectors. The plate number 30 signifies its place in this extensive pedagogical and artistic project.
Detailed descriptions of paper quality, margins, and preservation state.
Direct history of the collection’s origin.
Expertly packed and insured delivery to international collectors and institutions.
