The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 13, 2026

A vertically oriented print in fine black lines depicts people with light skin tones in a classical building. On the right, a man with donkey ears sits enthroned while two women whisper to him. In the center, a woman drags a man by his hair, led by a gaunt figure holding a torch. A blindfolded woman stands at the far right. Fine cross-hatching shades the scene. Latin text sits in a central bottom tablet.

The Calumny of Apelles

1560

Giorgio Ghisi

(Italian, 1520–1582)

after Luca Penni

(Italian, 1500/04–1557)
Italy, 16th century
engraving
Platemark: 36.9 x 31.9 cm (14 1/2 x 12 9/16 in.); Sheet: 37.3 x 32.3 cm (14 11/16 x 12 11/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2012.8
Catalogue raisonné: Lewis & Lewis 27
Location: Not on view

Description

This allegory of injustice, popular with Renaissance artists for its moral content, is based on a written description of a lost painting by the ancient Greek artist Apelles. An enthroned judge with large ears is flanked by Suspicion and blindfolded Ignorance. He extends a hand to Calumny (Slander), who, helped by Envy, drags a young man by the hair into court. This youth protests his innocence to Truth and Time, who descend on a cloud to reveal Calumny’s lies and vindicate the accused. Deceit stands behind Calumny with a large net, while Repentance casts an apologetic glance toward Truth from beside the window.
  • [R. E. Lewis, Inc., Larkspur, CA, 1993]; Phillip Sommerville, Toronto; [Susan Schulman Printseller]
  • Mann, C. Griffith. “Acquisitions 2012.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine 53, no. 2 (March/April 2013): 10-25. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 12 archive.org
  • Main Gallery Rotation (gallery 117): June 3, 2013 - October 7, 2013.
  • {{cite web|title=The Calumny of Apelles|url=false|author=Giorgio Ghisi, Luca Penni|year=1560|access-date=13 April 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2012.8