Emperor Freeing the Slave Androcles
1516/17
Medium
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image/plate: 40.2 × 27 cm (15 7/8 × 10 11/16 in.); Sheet: 40.4 × 26.8 cm (15 15/16 × 10 9/16 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
111257
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In Aesop's Fables, the escaped slave Androcles is thrown to a lion for the amusement of the emperor. Miraculoush, the beast greets him like a puppy instead of tearing him limb from limb. Androcles had once removed a thorn from the lion’s paw, and in gratitude the animal spares his life in the arena. The emperor is so touched by the story that he too spares Androcles’ life and sends the lion back to the wild. Agostino Veneziano may have used a drawing by Raphael as the model for this engraving. I...