Portret van kunstenaar Michelangelo Ricciolini 1752 - 1762

Antonio Pazzi made this print of the artist Michelangelo Ricciolini in the 18th century using etching, engraving, and crayon manner. Ricciolini is caught in the act of creating, which speaks to a growing interest at the time in the artistic genius and the role of the artist in society. Made in Italy, this print reveals the importance of the artist as a cultural figure, worthy of documentation and admiration. The work is interesting because it is a portrait of an artist by an artist; in a sense, it's a member's club! In this print, we see the institution of art celebrating itself. It's a very self-conscious image. To understand its significance, we can look into the archives of art academies and exhibition records of the time to reveal how cultural institutions were elevating the status of the artist. By exploring such historical resources, we start to appreciate how the meaning of this work is rooted in its specific time and place.