The Calumny of Apelles

1560

Giorgio Ghisi after Luca Penni

Associated Names
Giorgio Ghisi

Artist, Italian, 1520 - 1582

Luca Penni

Artist After, Italian, 1500/1504 - 1556

This is a drawing of a group of classical figures in an architectural setting. The figures are dressed in classical attire and engaged in various interactions. In the center, a seated figure appears authoritative, with the surrounding figures attentive. To the left, a statue of a standing figure is positioned within an archway. Above, a dark sky reveals a celestial presence. An inscription in Latin is displayed on a tablet at the base. The drawing is precise and detailed, similar to Renaissance or Baroque works.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 36.9 x 32 cm (14 1/2 x 12 5/8 in.)
    sheet: 38.2 x 33.3 cm (15 1/16 x 13 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2006.39.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Boorsch/Lewis 1985, no. 27, State iii/vi

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Hill-Stone Incorporated, New York); purchased 2006 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2008

  • Medieval to Modern: Recent Acquisitions of Drawings, Prints, and Illustrated Books, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2008, no. 18.

2015

  • Recent Acquisitions of Italian Renaissance Prints: Ideas Made Flesh, NGA, 2015.

Bibliography

1985

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

Inscriptions

lower right on throne: GEOR / GIVS / GHISI / MANT / .F. 1560; lower left in image: CVM PRIVILE / GIO REGIS; lower center in image: ATTRAHIT INSONTE PERIVRA CALVMNIA APELLE / IN IVS IMMISCENS FANDA NEFANDA SIMVL / AVRICVLIS IVDEX INSIGNIS TEPORA ASELLI / IVS PARITER REDDIT COCLITE CV COMITE / TEMPORIS AT DEMV QVAE FERTVR FILIA SEROS / IN LVCEM PROFERT QVI LATVRERE DOLOS; lower right in tablet: LVCA / PENIS / .IN.

Wikidata ID

Q76341287

You may be interested in

Loading Results