Tintoretto at His Daughter's Deathbed

Art Historical Context

This engraving captures a poignant moment in art history, showing the renowned Venetian Renaissance painter Jacopo Tintoret at the deathbed of his daughter. Created after 184, the work draws on a painting by Léon Cogniet was skillfully translated into print by Achilleinet. The intimate scene highlights themes of loss and familial bonds, rendered with careful attention to the figures’ expressions and the quiet of the bedside setting. Martinet’s engraving on chine collé allowed for remarkable detail and tonal subtlety, a technique prized in 19th-century printmaking for its ability to convey the emotional depth of the original painting to a broader audience. Such reproductive prints played an important role in disseminating images of historical and artistic subjects during the period, bridging the gap between studio works and public appreciation. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this piece reflects the enduring fascination with the personal lives of great artists. Its gift to the museum in 2013 ensures that visitors can continue to reflect on the human stories behind celebrated figures like Tintoretto.

About the Artist

Achille Martinet|Léon Cogniet|Jacopo Tintoretto (Jacopo Robusti) (French|French|Italian) · 1806 |1794 |1518 –1877 |1880 |1594

French, Paris 1806–1877 Paris|French, Paris 1794–1880 Paris|Italian, Venice 1518/19–1594 Venice