Sibyl Reading with a Child Holding a Torch

As the innovator of the chiaroscuro process in Italy, Ugo's greatest achievement was the use of three- and four-tone blocks to simulate the subtleties of Raphael's ink wash drawings. Using woodcut, he duplicated the powerful contours, simplified forms, and spontaneous appearance of the Italian master's graphics.

Here, the print shows a sitting Sybil who is reading a book to a child holding a torch to illuminate the room. The design for Sibyl Reading has been traditionally ascribed to Raphael based on the several sibylline figures (one of whom is accompanied by a putto holding a torch) in the master's decorations for the Capella Chigi, Santa Maria della Pace, Rome (1511–14), though there is no direct correspondence.

A vertically oriented woodcut print in brown ink depicts two people in an architectural alcove. On our right, a woman with light skin tone sits barefoot, gazing left at an open book. She wears a dress with puffed sleeves and hair gathered in a bun. To our left, a child with light skin tone stands holding a flaming torch with both hands. Dense hatching creates dramatic light and shadow throughout the scene.

Sibyl Reading with a Child Holding a Torch

1518–27

Ugo da Carpi, Raphael

(Italian, c. 1479–c. 1532), (Italian, 1483–1520)

Italy, 16th century

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