Two Sibyls and an Angel
c. 1520/1525
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
sheet: 31.3 x 25.9 cm (12 5/16 x 10 3/16 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.7352
Art Historical Context
Behold *Two Sibyls and an*, a captivating engraving by Giovanni Antonio da, created around 1520–1525 designs by the Renaissance master Raphael. This print two majestic sibyls—ancient prophetesses from classical mythology—flanked by a graceful angel, evoking the spiritual and prophetic themes central to Renaissance art. Raphael, a pillar of the High Renaissance, portrayed sibyls in his Vatican frescoes, blending pagan wisdom with Christian symbolism to celebrate humanism and divine inspiration. Da Brescia, a skilled Italian engraver, faithfully reproduced Raphael's elegant compositions, making...