This engraving belongs to a set of twenty prints attributed to René Boyvin and his workshop. But it has been suggested that they could perhaps be by Pierre Milan, since it is quite unusual for Boyvin not to sign his work. Depictions of the Greek and Roman divinities were quite common in the 16th century, as were grotesques. But to represent the Roman gods surrounded by grotesques, and with such details, makes this set a very original one.
The original drawings were made by Léonard Thiry in the middle of the sixteenth century, as the inscription on the first plate ‘Leonardus Theodoricus inventor’ demonstrates. They were once attributed to Rosso Fiorentino and his influence is quite strong in this set. Indeed Rosso himself drew a series of Gods in Niches engraved by Caraglio. In both series, gods and goddesses are set up in traditional pairs, such as Pluto and Proserpina, Ariadne and Bacchus; furthermore Thiry’s compositions are often extremely reminiscent of Rosso’s. For example, Saturn is shown in the same posture, devouring one of his children, in both sets.
The four prints showing Neptune, Thetis, Hercules and Hebe are very rare, and unlike the others, they are unnumbered.
Physical description
Engraving from a set of twenty prints depicting grotesque panels containing pagan divinities. Ariadne (plate 5). Ornamental structure with acanthus scrolls inhabited by birds, feline, goat-head, winged donkey and other creatures, surrounding a central scene, showing Ariadne. Scene of sacrifice in a frieze at the bottom. Attributed to René Boyvin or Pierre Milan, after Léonard Thiry; mid 16th century. Numbered '5'. Lettered with a Latin inscription: 'Quae Baccho nupsit, non est consulta Iuventa,'.
Place of Origin
Paris, France (probably, engraved)
Date
mid 16th century (engraved)
Artist/maker
Boyvin, René, born 1520 (attributed to, engraver)
milan (attributed to, engraver)
thiry (after, artist)
Materials and Techniques
Engraving on paper
Marks and inscriptions
'5'
'Quae Baccho nupsit, non est consulta Iuventa,'
Dimensions
Height: 17 cm, Width: 10.3 cm
Historical context note
This engraving belongs to a set of twenty prints attributed to René Boyvin and his workshop. But Henri Zerner (L’Ecole de Fontainebleau, 1972, p. 332, no.434) suggested that they could perhaps be by Pierre Milan, since it is quite unusual for Boyvin not to sign his work. Depictions of the Greek and Roman divinities were quite common in the 16th century, as were grotesques. But to represent the Roman gods surrounded by grotesques, and with such details, makes this set a very original one.
The original drawings were made by Léonard Thiry in the middle of the sixteenth century, as the inscription on the first plate ‘Leonardus Theodoricus inventor’ demonstrates. An old attribution to Rosso exists due to the fact that the name of Léonard Thiry was scratched and replaced with the inscription ‘maitre Rous’ by a fraudulent publisher. Nevertheless, Rosso’s influence is quite strong in this set. Indeed Rosso himself drew a series of Gods in Niches engraved by Caraglio (Bartsch illustrated, 28, pp. 116-165). In both series, gods and goddesses are set up in traditional pairs, such as Pluto and Proserpina, Ariadne and Bacchus; furthermore Thiry’s compositions are often extremely reminiscent of Rosso’s. For example, Saturn is shown in the same posture, devouring one of his children, in both sets.
The four prints showing Neptune, Thetis, Hercules and Hebe are very rare, and unlike the others, they are unnumbered.
Descriptive line
Engraving from a set of twenty prints depicting grotesque panels containing pagan divinities. Ariadne (plate 5). Attributed to René Boyvin or Pierre Milan, after Léonard Thiry; mid 16th century. Numbered and lettered with a Latin inscription.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Robert-Dumesnil, A. P. F. Le peintre-graveur français, ou Catalogue raisonné des estampes gravées par les peintres et les dessinateurs de l'école française. Ouvrage faisant suite au Peintre-graveur de M. Bartsch. Par A.-P.-F. Robert-Dumesnil. Paris: G. Warée, 1835-71. Vol. VIII, no. 123.
Zerner, Henri. L’Ecole de Fontainebleau, gravures. 1972. p. 332, no.434.
Strauss, Walter L., ed. The Illustrated Bartsch, 28, Commentary: Italian Masters of the Sixteenth Century. New York: Abaris Books, 1995. pp. 116-165.
Production Note
Attributed to René Boyvin. But the set has also been attributed to Pierre Milan.
Materials
Paper; Ink
Techniques
Engraving (printing process)
Subjects depicted
Birds; Acanthus; Mythology; Grotesques; Goat; Cats; Sacrifice; Fontainebleau; Donkeys; Frieze; Ariadne
Categories
Prints; Ornament prints
Collection code
PDP
