Portret van bibliothecaris en schrijver Ludovico Antonio Muratori after 1750

This is Nicolaus de Horatio's portrait of Ludovico Antonio Muratori. The use of etching creates a composition dominated by linear precision and textural contrasts. The portrait is framed by an oval cartouche, flanked by an angel and a stack of books, symbols of Muratori’s intellectual life. The artist's use of hatching and cross-hatching builds depth and volume, particularly noticeable in the subject’s face and clothing. This meticulous technique not only captures Muratori's likeness but also speaks to a broader concern with Enlightenment ideals of clarity, reason, and the value of knowledge. The sharp lines and controlled gradations are indicative of the period's emphasis on rationalism, where art was seen as a vehicle for intellectual and moral enlightenment. This approach serves to both commemorate Muratori and to embody the period's ethos.