A masterfully executed 18th-century copper engraving by Domenico Cunego, depicting a young child from the Pythagorean group. 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 capturing naturalistic forms. The work captures the child in a three-quarter rear view, looking back with a curious expression, characterized by soft, rounded features and short, ruffled hair. The delicate stippling used to render the skin creates a remarkable sense of three-dimensionality, showcasing the tenderness of Raphael’s original vision.
Located near Pythagoras, this child represents the earliest stages of learning and the transmission of knowledge to the next generation. His presence in this series symbolizes the innocence of inquiry and the continuity of the philosophical tradition from childhood into maturity.
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’s exhaustive series aimed to capture every significant detail of Raphael’s Vatican frescoes. Plate 43 is important as it shows Raphael’s range—his ability to depict the innocence of a child with the same dignity as a great philosopher—here preserved in copperplate.
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.
