Tiburtine Sibyl and the Emperor Augustus

c. 1527–30/31
(Italian, 1503–1540)
(Italian, c. 1508–c. 1550)
Sheet: 34.1 x 25.9 cm (13 7/16 x 10 3/16 in.)
Catalogue raisonné: Bartsch 7 (XII.90)
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location: not on view

Download, Print and Share

Description

This print depicts the Roman Emperor Augustus (reigned 27 BC–AD 14) and the Tiburtine Sybil, one of several women that Apollo bestowed with prophetic powers. Augustus was deciding whether or not to accept apotheosis (recognition of the emperor as a god after death) and asked the Tiburtine Sybil for advice. At the moment the two met on the Capitoline Hill, the Madonna and Christ the Child appeared before them, revealing the coming of the child as the one who would have surpassed Augustus in ruling the world. Upon the site of the vision, Augustus had built an altar, the Aracoeli. Later, on the same spot, the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli was erected. Antonio da Trento probably made this print under the direct supervision of Parmigianino. In later printings, Antonio da Trento's line block went through two state changes. The CMA example represents the second state, characterized by the addition of hatching to the cheek of the attendant at the left of the composition.
Tiburtine Sibyl and the Emperor Augustus

Tiburtine Sibyl and the Emperor Augustus

c. 1527–30/31

Parmigianino, Antonio da Trento

(Italian, 1503–1540), (Italian, c. 1508–c. 1550)
Italy, 16th century

Visually Similar Artworks

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.