Dirce 1793 - 1838

This print of ‘Dirce’ was made by Angelo Bertini, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. It depicts a sculpture of a reclining nude woman, her back turned to us, a cloth draped over her lower body. Classical art was experiencing a resurgence in Europe at this time, and the image here is deliberately reminiscent of ancient Greek sculpture. The title mentions Dirce, a queen from Greek mythology, a symbol of power and beauty. Italy was the epicentre of the Neoclassical movement, as well as being the historical home of the Roman Empire. With its academies and patrons, Rome was still one of the most important centres for the study and production of art, and many artists looked to the art of classical antiquity for inspiration. To understand this work fully, we might look further into the history of academies of art and classical sculpture. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.