Serie naar schilderingen van Rafaël in de Chigi-kapel in Rome

About this artwork

Nicolas Dorigny's *Serie naar schilderingen van Rafaël in de Ch-kapel in Rome*1695) is a etching from a series faithfully reproducing the masterful frescoes by Renaissance genius Raphael in the Chigi at Santa Maria della Pace in Rome. Created nearly two centuries after Raphael's originals (circa 1511–1514), which depict prophetic Sibyls and angels in vibrant, harmonious compositions, Dorigny's print captures the chapel's divine elegance. Measuring 289 mm high by 218 mm wide, this plate exemplifies the French artist's dedication to preserving Italian High Renaissance art for a wider audience. As a leading Baroque engraver, Dorigny specialized in reproductive prints that disseminated masterpieces across Europe, bridging the gap between elite patronage and emerging public appreciation. Etching, his chosen medium, involved coating a copper plate with acid-resistant ground, incising lines with a needle, and immersing it in acid to etch intricate details—allowing for the subtle tonal gradations that mimic Raphael's fluid modeling and luminous color. These prints hold cultural significance as scholarly tools for artists and collectors in the late 17th century, fueling the Raphael cult during the Grand Tour era. They remind us how printmaking democratized genius, turning Rome's sacred spaces into portable inspirations.