Figure on Seagoat; Man Carving Wing, from "Ex Antiquis Cameorum et Gemmae Delineata"
Medium
Engraving; third state
Dimensions
plate: 3 7/16 x 4 7/8 in. (8.8 x 12.4 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1949
Accession Number
49.97.433
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *Figure on Seagoat Man Carving Wing*, delicate engraving from the Renaissance-era publication *Ex Antiquis Came et Gemmae Deline* ("Delineations of Ancient Cameos and Gems"), published around 1599–1622. This third-state impression captures two intriguing vignettes inspired by classical antiquity: a mythical figure astride a seagoat fantastical hybrid evoking Capricorn-like sea creatures from Greco-Roman lore—and a craftsman meticulously carving a wing, symbol the artistry of ancient gem-cutters. Measuring just 3 7/16 x 4 7/8 inches, its intimate scale mirrors the tiny gems it reproduces...
About the Artist
Francesco Angeloni|Battista Franco|Philippe Thomassin|Enea Vico|Anonymous, Italian, 16th century (Italian|Italian|French|Italian|Italian) · 1559 |1510 |1562 |1523 |1500 –1652 |1561 |1622 |1567 |1600
Terni 1559 or 1587–1652 Rome|Italian, Venice ca. 1510–1561 Venice|French, Troyes 1562–1622 Rome|Italian, Parma 1523–1567 Ferrara|