Orpheus Charming the Animals

c. 1505

Marcantonio Raimondi

(Italian, 1470/82–1527/34)

Culture

Italy, 16th century

Medium

engraving

Measurements

Plate: 21.4 x 17.3 cm (8 7/16 x 6 13/16 in.)

Credit Line

Dudley P. Allen Fund 1930.579

Catalogue raisonné

Delaborde 175.131 ; Bartsch XIV 236.314 ; Passavant VI.30.191

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Location

Not on view

Description

In Greek mythology, Orpheus was a singer and poet. He was given a lyre by Apollo, the god of music, and was taught to play by the Muses. His songs, melodiously accompanied by his instrument, were so beautiful that they pacified wild animals, calmed the seas, and animated trees and rocks. Here, a subdued bear is depicted in close proximity to a dog, and stones have gathered at the musician’s feet. The instrument depicted here is a lira da braccio, an instrument played by Leonardo da Vinci at the time when this engraving was made.