A Sibyl Reading a book facing right

Art Historical Context

In the High Renaissance spirit of Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino), this captivating chiaroscuro woodcut, *A Sibyl Reading a Book Facing Right*, was crafted around 1517–18 by innovative printmaker Ugo da Carpi. Depicting a prophetic Sibyl—ancient female seers from classical mythology—deep in contemplation with an open book, the image echoes Raphael's graceful figures, likely derived from his lost drawing or a related composition. Printed on a modest sheet (11 1/8 × 8 7/8 in.), it now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, acquired via the Rogers Fund in 1922. Ugo da Carpi pioneered chiaroscuro woodcuts in Italy, using two blocks in shades of brown to mimic the luminous tonal modeling of paintings. This technique created dramatic light and shadow, elevating prints from mere reproductions to autonomous artworks that rivaled drawings in depth and elegance. It democratized access to Raphael's refined style for collectors beyond Rome. Sibyls held cultural sway in Renaissance art, symbolizing wisdom and divine prophecy, as seen in Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling. This print exemplifies the era's fusion of classical antiquity with Christian humanism, showcasing Raphael's enduring influence through Da Carpi's technical mastery—a bridge between painting and printmaking.

About the Artist

Ugo da Carpi|Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) · 1480–1535

Comment on works: Painter; Woodcutter