Poetry personified as a winged woman (ca. 1515)
Original title: Poetry personified as a winged woman
kurzbeschreibung
A winged female figure holds a book: that is how Marcantonio Raimondi pictures Poetry in an engraving of about 1515. Measuring 17.9 x 14.9 cm, the sheet is an allegory of poetic inspiration.
Description
A laurel-crowned woman with wings stands holding a book, while two winged putti flank her on clouds, presenting a shield inscribed 'NUMIE AFLATIV R'. The layout is strictly symmetrical, the print monochrome, the light spread evenly across every surface. Classical features and Renaissance influence shape the densely worked linework.
Context
Marcantonio Raimondi, an Italian engraver of the Renaissance, became known for reproductive prints after Raphael and other artists. This sheet was made in Rome around 1515, a time when allegorical and mythological subjects were widespread in printmaking. The inscription 'NUMIE AFLATIV R' is probably a Latin phrase pointing to the inspiration behind poetry.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and calm handling give a balanced, harmonious impression. The winged figure and the putti lend the print an elevated, almost heavenly mood that reinforces the ideal image of poetry.
Technique
For this engraving the design was cut into a copper plate and then printed onto paper. The delicate lines and even distribution of light attest to Raimondi's considerable technical skill.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)