Angelica lying across the lap of Medoro and writes their names on a tree trunk 1784 - 1836

Giovanni Folo created this engraving, "Angelica lying across the lap of Medoro," in Italy. Though undated, it was likely made during the Neoclassical period. Folo’s print illustrates a scene from Ariosto’s epic poem "Orlando Furioso," where Angelica and Medoro inscribe their names on a tree as a testament to their love. Set against a natural backdrop, a cupid figure stands to the left, holding a torch that symbolizes desire. Such imagery, steeped in classical and Renaissance literary and artistic traditions, served a cultivated elite, reinforcing their cultural capital. Prints like this played a crucial role in disseminating artistic ideas and tastes across Europe. Sold and collected, they operated within a market driven by connoisseurship and the desire to possess and share knowledge of classical and contemporary art. The engraving thus reflects not just a romantic scene but also the social and economic structures that supported artistic production and consumption in the 18th and early 19th centuries. To truly understand this image, we might delve into the history of printmaking, the patronage systems of the time, and the reception of Ariosto’s poem. Each avenue of research brings us closer to understanding the complex interplay between art, society, and institutions.