Wood-Nymphs (The Discovery)

Art Historical Context

"Wood-Nymphs (The Discovery)" is a delightful hand-colored etching and stipple print 1799, created the Italian-born artist Giovanni Battista Cipri and the renowned English caricaturist Thomasson. Cipriani, known for his elegant Rococo and neoclassical designs, likely provided the graceful composition, while Rowlandson famous for his witty and often playful scenes, executed the print. The title evokes a mythological moment—wood nymphs, ethereal female figures from classical lore symbolizing nature's beauty and sensuality, caught in a moment of surprise or revelation, as suggested by tags highlighting female nudes and nymphs. This intimate work, measuring just 4 3/4 × 7 3/8 inches, exemplifies the stipple technique, where tiny dots build soft tones and textures, ideal for rendering luminous skin and flowing drapery. Hand-coloring adds vibrant life, making it a prized decorative item for 18th-century collectors. Prints like this democratized art, allowing middle-class homes to enjoy mythological themes once reserved for grand paintings. In late Georgian England, such images reflected a cultural fascination with antiquity amid the Enlightenment, blending erotic allure with classical ideals. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, it captures the era's lighthearted exploration of beauty and fantasy.

About the Artist

Giovanni Battista Cipriani|Thomas Rowlandson · 1766–1839

Giovanni Battista Cipriani was born on April 20, 1766, in Siena, Italy, to Simon Pietro Cipriani and Eva Bandini. He grew up alongside his brothers Barbato, a sculptor, and Galgano, an engraver, in a family immersed in the arts. Cipriani began his education studying Latin and mathematics before pursuing fine arts under the sculptor and architect Giuseppe Silini in Siena.) His talent earned him a p...