Allegory of Carnal Love

Allegory of Carnal Love

c. 1530

Cristofano Robetta

(Italian, 1462-after 1534)

Italy, 20th century

Engraving

Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1923.744

Catalogue raisonné: Hind I.205.29

Location

not on view

Download and Share

Download
Creative Commons CC0
Print
Social share

Description

Trained as a goldsmith in Florence, Robetta also made engravings, primarily of biblical and mythological narratives. Perhaps an allegory involving themes of physical love, fertility, and mortality, the message of this frieze-like scene is not clear. Cupid, the only easily identified mythical figure, binds the central man’s arm to a tree, suggesting he is love’s captive. Long sashes of cloth entangle the groups of men and women, including the androgynous figure on the far left. The children suggest the fertility of life, although one boy steps on a skull, a reminder of the inevitability of death.

See also
Collection: 
PR - Engraving
Department: 
Prints
Type of artwork: 
Print
Medium: 
Engraving
Credit line: 
Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance information, is based on historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on objects is an ongoing process, but the information about this object may not reflect the most current information available to CMA. 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.

Is something not working on this page? Please email help.website@clevelandart.org.

Request a digital file from Image Services that is not available through CC0, a detail image, or any image with a color bar. If you have questions about requesting an image, please email imageservices@clevelandart.org.