Personification of Engraving (Allegoria dell'incisione) 1879

Domenico Morelli’s “Personification of Engraving (Allegoria dell'incisione)” is a 19th-century etching that uses a figure to embody the art of engraving. The work presents a young woman, with her face partly in shadow, holding a burin - a pointed tool used in the process of engraving. The woman's pose and the depiction of the tool highlight the act of creation and the precision required in the artistic practice of engraving. This print exemplifies Morelli's interest in the exploration of light and shadow, as seen in the artist's other works from the same period. The work is a testament to the importance of engraving as a significant art form.