An Architectural Wall Design in Honor of Henry IV, the Gallic Hercules

c. 1600

Antonio Tempesta or Agostino Ciampelli

Associated Names
Antonio Tempesta

Artist, Florentine, 1555 - 1630

Agostino Ciampelli

Artist, Florentine, 1565 - 1630

This is an illustration of a heraldic composition featuring mythological figures and decorative elements. The scene includes two large, muscular male figures on either side of a central coat of arms. One figure is dressed in a draped garment and holds a club. The coat of arms is ornate with curving lines, a crowned top, and surrounded by symbols such as fleurs-de-lis. Cherubic figures are depicted around the base engaging with decorative scrollwork, each displaying intricate detailing and expressive poses. Large columns with floral designs support the structure, adding to its grandeur. The illustration is monochromatic with sepia tones, conveying an ancient and elegant feel.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with brown wash over graphite on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 33.2 x 46.6 cm (13 1/16 x 18 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1996.73.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

H. Baderou, 1965; (Bernard Houthakker, Amsterdam (Lugt undesc)); purchased by NGA, 1996.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1997

  • Building a Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997-1998, no. 43, as An Architectural Wall Design in Honor of Henry IV, the Gallic Hercules.

Bibliography

1989

  • Fuhring, Peter. Design into Art, Drawings for Architecture and Ornament. The Lodewijk Houthakker Collection. Amsterdam, 1989: no. 47.

Inscriptions

by later hand, lower center verso in pen and brown ink: Annibale Carracci; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: Primaticcio

Wikidata ID

Q64536275

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