Pietro Monaco

Pietro Monaco was a printmaker active in the early 18th century, with a documented working period spanning from 1717 to 1730. His known output focuses on reproductive prints, specializing in the translation of complex biblical and historical scenes originally executed by other masters. Fifteen of the documented Pietro Monaco prints are currently preserved across major international collections.

Monaco’s artistic practice often involved rendering existing canvases into etchings or engravings, thereby circulating the compositions of prominent Baroque painters. Much of his work originated from a comprehensive series of 112 prints depicting sacred history. These specific works frequently reference paintings by artists such as Mattia Preti and Giovanni Battista Pittoni. Notable subjects include dramatic narratives like Judit hakt het hoofd van Holofernes af, as well as detailed scenes such as Moses receiving the Tablets of the Law from God who descends from the heavens and the elaborate composition Samson and Delilah seated on a bed.

The significance of Monaco’s output is established by its placement in prestigious institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Rijksmuseum. These museum-quality records ensure the preservation of these historical compositions. Because many of these early 18th-century works are now in the public domain, high-quality prints derived from the originals are often available as downloadable artwork for scholarly review and appreciation.