The Calumny of Apelles
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
sheet: 37.3 × 32.3 cm · platemark: 36.9 × 31.9 cm
Classification
Department
Prints
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
2012.8
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
male
About this artwork
This allegory of injustice, popular with Renaissance artists for its moral content, is based on a written description of a lost painting by the ancient Greek artist Apelles. An enthroned judge with large ears is flanked by Suspicion and blindfolded Ignorance. He extends a hand to Calumny (Slander), who, helped by Envy, drags a young man by the hair into court. This youth protests his innocence to Truth and Time, who descend on a cloud to reveal Calumny’s lies and vindicate the accused. Deceit st...