Artwork Page for Allegorical Figure Holding a Sphere

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Allegorical Figure Holding a Sphere

mid 1560s

Giorgio Ghisi

(Italian, 1520–1582)

possibly after Giulio Romano

(Italian, 1492/99–1546)
Culture
Italy, 16th century
Medium
engraving
Support
Cream(3) laid paper
Measurements
Sheet: 24 x 13.4 cm (9 7/16 x 5 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1972.149
Catalogue raisonné
Lewis&Boorsch 38
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Giorgio Ghisi (Italian, 1520/21-1582) Allegorical Figure Holding a Sphere (after Giulio Romano?), mid-1560s Engraving Dudley P. Allen Fund 1972.149 Scholars disagree about the identity of this allegorical personification. She has been variously described as Victory, Fortune, Temperance, and the Primum Mobile (Prime Mover), believed to be a force that generated celestial motion.
A vertically oriented engraving depicts a winged figure standing in a recessed corner. Facing our left, they hold a large, smooth sphere against their side. Their left hand rests on their hip, and a feathered wing extends toward the upper right. Dense horizontal lines shade the background and define the figure's muscular arms and draped garment. The figure's braided hair and the fabric's folds are rendered with intricate, hatched strokes.

Allegorical Figure Holding a Sphere

mid 1560s

Giorgio Ghisi, Giulio Romano

(Italian, 1520–1582), (Italian, 1492/99–1546)
Italy, 16th century

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