He was born in
Naples, apparently to a German family of engravers. He received his earliest instructions from his father, himself an engraver; but, to obtain more advanced training, he was placed as a pupil under the celebrated
Giovanni Volpato. He assisted this master in engraving the famous pictures of
Raphael in the
Vatican City, and the print which represents the
miracle of Bolsena is inscribed with his name. He married Volpato's daughter, Domenica, in 1782, and, being invited to Florence to engrave the masterpieces of the
Florentine Gallery, he moved there with his wife in the same year. His reputation now became so great as to induce the artists of Florence to recommend him to the
Grand Duke as a fit person to engrave the
Last Supper of
Leonardo da Vinci; apart, however, from the dilapidated state of the picture itself, the drawing made for Morghen was unworthy of the original, and the print, in consequence, although an admirable production, fails to convey a correct idea of the style and merit of Leonardo. Morghen's fame, however, soon extended over Europe; and the
Institute of France, as a mark of their admiration of his talents, elected him an associate in 1803. In 1812
Napoleon invited him to
Paris and paid him the most flattering attentions. He died in
Florence. He is buried in the
Church of Santa Croce in Florence. ==Works==