Three Muses and a Gesturing Putto

1560s

Giorgio Ghisi after Francesco Primaticcio

Associated Names
Giorgio Ghisi

Artist, Italian, 1520 - 1582

Francesco Primaticcio

Artist After, Italian, 1504 - 1570

The image shows three figures in flowing robes from knee-level upwards. The central person holds an open book, looking downward, with curly hair framing their face. The figure on the left gestures towards the book, and the figure on the right looks on with a tilted head. Above them, a nude cherubic figure with wings is flying. The background is subtly shaded with fine lines for depth, enclosed within a cross-shaped frame that includes all figures.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 29.3 x 17 cm (11 9/16 x 6 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2005.45.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Boorsch/Lewis 1985, no. 35, State iii/iv

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Cantacuzene (not in Lugt). (Pia Gallo, New York); purchased 2005 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1802

  • Bartsch, Adam. Le peintre graveur. 21 vols. Vienna, 1802-1821: Adam. Le peintre graveur. 21 vols. Vienna: J.V. Degen, 1802-1821.

1985

  • Boorsch, Suzanne and Michal and R.E. Lewis. The Engravings of Giorgio Ghisi. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1985.

Inscriptions

lower center in image: FRAN. BOL. IN. / G. ME.; by later hand, lower right in brown ink: ...Primatice... / (not deciphered) Ggrave par George Mantuan; by later hand, verso in graphite: G. Ghisi B. 37 iv 292 + 170

Wikidata ID

Q76341284

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