Jupiter and Juno on Mount Ida

Art Historical Context

Behold *Jupiter and Juno on Mount Ida*, captivating 1784 stipple engraving and etching printed in color, crafted by master engraver Francesco Bartolozzi after a design by Giovanni Battista Cipriani, with printing by Torre & Co. oval composition (5⅝ × 6⅝ in.) captures the Roman gods in a moment of divine intimacy amid the mythic landscapes of Mount Ida, evoking classical from Ovid and Homer where Jupiter and Juno embody power, love, and celestial drama. Produced during the height of Neoclassicism in Britain, it reflects the era's fascination with antiquity, brought vividly to life through reproductive printmaking. Bartolozzi, a pioneer of stipple technique in England, used fine dots and etched lines to achieve soft, painterly tones ideal for flesh and drapery, enhanced here by innovative color printing—a rarity that mimicked hand-colored effects for broader appeal. This second state of four shows refined details from earlier proofs, showcasing the meticulous evolution of 18th-century print production. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917), it exemplifies how prints democratized art, allowing collectors to own "masterpieces" affordably. Step closer to feel the gods' gaze—such works bridged elite patronage and public taste, preserving Cipriani's elegant draftsmanship for generations.

About the Artist

Francesco Bartolozzi|Giovanni Battista Cipriani|Torre & Co. · 1727–1815

Francesco Bartolozzi (1727–1815) was an Italian engraver whose most productive period was spent in London, where he became the leading exponent of stipple engraving and a founding member of the Royal Academy. Born in Florence and trained first as a painter before turning to engraving in Venice, he established his reputation in Rome before being recruited by the English Royal Librarian Richard Dalt...