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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level D , Case EO, Shelf 31

Engraving

ca. 1540 (made), 1548 (Printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This mid 16th-century panel by Cornelis Massys (also spelled Metsys) shows an elaborate panel in the grotesque style. 'Grotesque' derives from the Italian word grottesco. The style was inspired by ancient Roman designs discovered at the end of the 15th century in the underground rooms, or grottoes, of the Golden House of Emperor Nero in Rome.

Grotesque ornament was used to decorate a wide range of objects, such as ceramics, and the style was much copied by Renaissance artists.

A variety of motifs, such as flower and ornament, animal heads and sphinx surround the infant Bacchus, the god of wine. Below him is Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. She is recognisable by her emblems, the cornucopia and ears of corn. Together, Ceres and Bacchus suggest the idea of plenty.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraving
Brief description
Cornelis Massys. Ornament with Bacchus and Fortuna in a border of strapwork. Flemish, 1548.
Physical description
Engraving
Dimensions
  • To plate mark height: 20.8cm
  • To plate mark width: 12.8cm
  • Cut to height: 11.1cm
  • Cut to width: 8.2cm
Object history
There is a copy in reverse published by Ducerceau in 1550, an impression of which is in the V&A, inventory number 23089.23.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This mid 16th-century panel by Cornelis Massys (also spelled Metsys) shows an elaborate panel in the grotesque style. 'Grotesque' derives from the Italian word grottesco. The style was inspired by ancient Roman designs discovered at the end of the 15th century in the underground rooms, or grottoes, of the Golden House of Emperor Nero in Rome.

Grotesque ornament was used to decorate a wide range of objects, such as ceramics, and the style was much copied by Renaissance artists.

A variety of motifs, such as flower and ornament, animal heads and sphinx surround the infant Bacchus, the god of wine. Below him is Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. She is recognisable by her emblems, the cornucopia and ears of corn. Together, Ceres and Bacchus suggest the idea of plenty.
Bibliographic references
  • (Berlin II) Berlin Staatlich Museen., Katalog der Ornamentstich-Sammlung der Staatlichen Kunstbibliothek Berlin, Berlin and Leipzig, 1936-39, 206.
  • Hollstein, F. W. H., et al. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700 (Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1949-ongoing): vol. XI, pp.175-210, no.153.
Collection
Accession number
26457:2

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Record createdDecember 1, 2005
Record URL
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