Anatra marina minore col ciuffo 1767 - 1776

Saverio Manetti made this print of a duck, or 'Anatra marina minore col ciuffo' in Italian, using etching and engraving techniques. It presents us with a mixture of scientific observation and artistic convention characteristic of the 18th century. Produced in Italy, the print reflects the growing scientific interest in natural history. The detailed depiction of the duck, combined with its Latin nomenclature, indicates an attempt to classify and understand the natural world. Yet, the print is also dedicated to an Antonio Turri from Milan, revealing a network of patronage and intellectual exchange that underpinned artistic and scientific production at this time. Manetti's work can be examined through surviving scientific literature, travelogues, and the records of learned societies. These resources help us to understand the cultural values and social structures that influenced both the production and reception of such images. Ultimately, this print reminds us that art is always contingent on its social context.