Bas-Relief with Three Cupids, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae" (1519, Met-Objekt 5851)
Original title: Bas-Relief with Three Cupids, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae"
kurzbeschreibung
In 1519 Marco Dente engraved a flat relief featuring three putti. The print belongs to the 'Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae' collection. Architectural framing elements surround the group of figures.
Description
An arrow and a lance are held in the left putto's hand. The middle one holds a shell and rests a hand on his neighbour's shoulder, while the right putto sits with lowered gaze. This trio appears embedded in an architecture of columns and an ornamented baldachin. Below the relief runs a Latin inscription band with title and date. The layout seems mirrored, the tones remain monochrome, and light falls evenly.
Context
This engraving was made in 1519, in a Rome experiencing lively enthusiasm for antiquity. Dente, trained in Marcantonio Raimondi's school, devoted himself mainly to reproducing ancient monuments. The 'Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae' gathered prints documenting the buildings and artworks of ancient Rome. An antique original served as the model for the relief.
Impact
The regular structure and clear contours give the sheet a calm, balanced presence. Despite the detailed execution, the putti retain a lively quality in their classical poses. Because colour is absent, the graphic structure of the engraving stands out clearly.
Technique
For engraving, lines are cut into a copper plate with a burin; then ink is applied and the paper pressed against it. Hatching and finely set lines model the bodies and ornaments, creating a sense of sculptural depth.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)