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Count Ezzelin Bracciaferro Musing over the Body of His Wife Meduna, Slain by Him for Her Infidelity during his Absence in the Holy Land

Engraver John Raphael Smith British
After Henry Fuseli Swiss
Publisher James Birchall British
May 1781
Not on view
This print's elaborate title suggests Fuseli derived the subject from Italian medieval history. In fact, he invented it, combining various sources, so that he could explore the anguished posture and expression of a murderer who simultaneously "deplores his madness, but repents it not." The image reflects the artist's life-long fascination with extreme psychological states and conflict between the sexes. Within a castle interior, Ezzelin, count of Ravenna, watches over the body of his wife, whom he has killed for betraying him. Smith used mezzotint to reproduce the moody darkness of Fuseli's painting, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1780.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Count Ezzelin Bracciaferro Musing over the Body of His Wife Meduna, Slain by Him for Her Infidelity during his Absence in the Holy Land
  • Engraver: John Raphael Smith (British, baptized Derby 1751–1812 Doncaster)
  • Artist: After Henry Fuseli (Swiss, Zürich 1741–1825 London)
  • Publisher: James Birchall (British, active 1781–94)
  • Date: May 1781
  • Medium: Mezzotint
  • Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed close to plate): 17 13/16 × 21 3/4 in. (45.3 × 55.2 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
  • Object Number: 59.570.363
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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