A statue of a man and a woman embracing; possibly representing Orestes and Electa. Engraving by F. Piranesi, 1783, after T. Piroli.

  • Piroli, Tommaso, approximately 1752-1824.
Date:
1783
Reference:
31159i
  • Pictures

About this work

Description

Described in the lettering as Orestes recognized by his sister Electra who has cut her hair short in order to place her locks on the tomb of her father, as in the play Electra by Sophocles; but popularly thought to represent Papirius with his mother. The statue was in the Villa Ludovisi in Rome

Publication/Creation

1783

Physical description

1 print : engraving, with etching ; platemark 49 x 32.8 cm

Contributors

Lettering

Oreste riconosciuto dalla sorella Elettra la quale ha i capelli recisi per averli appesi alla tomba del padre, espresso secondo la scena di Sofocle: opera greca di Menelao discepolo di Stefano, creduta volgarmente rappresentare Papirio colla madre. Esiste nella Villa Ludovisi. Al Sig.re Carlo Federico de Fredenheim Primo Segretario di S. M. il Re di Svezia, e Maestro di Cerimonie alla Sua corte, Cavaliere del ordine Reale della Stella Polare, grand'protettore delle belle arti Francesco Piranesi D.D.D. Tomasso Piroli disegnò. Francesco Piranesi incise 1783. Bears number: 13

Reference

Wellcome Collection 31159i

Type/Technique

Languages

Subjects

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores

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