Two bound male figures with plant stems issuing from their mouths
Print
ca. 1535 (Engraved)
ca. 1535 (Engraved)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This print was made in Italy around 1535. It shows two male figures bound together, back to back, sitting on huge fishes. Plant stems and baskets of fruit issue from their mouths, as though they are blowing into them like trumpets. Mischievous putti are tying ribbons into their hair. This type of decoration is known as 'grotesque', from the Italian word grottesco. It 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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Two bound male figures with plant stems issuing from their mouths (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Engraving |
| Brief description | An engraved print showing two men surrounded by scrolling foliage, Italy, ca.1535. |
| Physical description | Plate depicting two bound male figures with plant stems issuing from their mouths, on which perch birds, plucking grapes from baskets. On the head of each man, a putto tying a ribbon. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Signed in monogram D.A with ears of corn |
| Object history | From Miller (1999), p. 59. Berliner points out that the copper plate had four circular rivets at the corners, hatched to match the plate. |
| Production | Initials D. A. appear on the print. It was possibly made in Rome. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This print was made in Italy around 1535. It shows two male figures bound together, back to back, sitting on huge fishes. Plant stems and baskets of fruit issue from their mouths, as though they are blowing into them like trumpets. Mischievous putti are tying ribbons into their hair. This type of decoration is known as 'grotesque', from the Italian word grottesco. It 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. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.1469-1923 |
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| Record created | January 15, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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