• Raphael Morghen

  1758-1833

The Painting

• Production Date

  1780

• Type of Work / Object

  Graphic Art > Copper Engraving

• Location

  • Not on display

• Inventory Number

  E870

• Catalogue Number

  E870

• Catalogue Level / Collection

  Thorvaldsen's Collections > Collection of Prints (E)

Explanation

• Below the drawing of the Belvedere Torso is a quote from Horace’s (65-8 BC) Ars Poetica: ”Place the Greek masterpieces before you, study them night and day”. The Vatican’s Belvedere Torso had long been considered the very epitome of Greek art. The volcano Vesuvius can be seen in the background. The volcano is a reference to the person who bought the painting, Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803), a British diplomat in Naples, to whom Raphael Morghen also dedicated his print.

Additional Catalogue Information