Castiglione is known to have brought the work to Rome from Genoa in 1647 and it was printed by G. G. De Rossi for the 1st time. The etching plate is in Calcografia Nazionale, Rome. The same subject is represented in a horizontal drawing in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Date is Probably 1645-46 as indicated by the absence of the adjective “genovese” in the signature.

Melancholy is represented by the woman. Beside the woman are symbols of scientific activity (Globe, compass, square) and of intellectual and artistic activity (roll of paper, books, sheet with music, lute, flute, palette and brush). She holds a scull (symbol of death ) and the vanity of human undertakings that are made meaningless by death (Scull) and decay (Ruins). Two animals have unrealistic leaning poses expressing perhaps insanity or the state of alternating excitement and depression caused by melancholy.

Details of the four states are as follows:
State 1: on a page of the book at the lower right is the only inscription: “G. Benedto/CAS/In”
State 2: added to the bottom: “Si Stampano in Roma per Gio Domco Rossi alla pace all Insegna de Parigi” and at the top “Vbi Inletabilitas ibi Virtus” which refers to the presence of virtus in contemplation or a state of resistance to happiness.

State 3: Added to the bottom inscription “Con licenze de Supior (Sic)”

State 4: retouched by the burin particularly the outline of the woman.