A masterfully executed 18th-century copper engraving by Domenico Cunego, depicting the Greek philosopher Socrates. 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 Socrates in a strict profile, highlighting his iconic features and thick, curly beard. The use of heavy cross-hatching on the drapery creates a remarkable sense of three-dimensionality, showcasing the precision of the Neoclassical period.
Socrates is depicted in Raphael’s fresco engaged in dialogue with a group of young men. As the father of moral philosophy and the inventor of the Socratic method, his presence in this series symbolizes the importance of questioning, dialectic, and the pursuit of ethical truth in Western thought.
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
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.
