Two winged putti riding parallel on dolphins above the water surface, an oval composition

Art Historical Context

In this enchanting oval engraving, *Two Winged Putti Riding Parallel Dolphins Above the Water Surface created around 1550–87, visitors encounter the whimsical interplay of Adamo Ghisi Scult, a masterful Italian engraver, and Giulio, the influential Mannerist painter and architect. Scultori's precise burin work reproduces Romano's dynamic design, capturing two cherubic putti—those joyful, winged infants emblematic of Renaissance playfulness—frolicking astride dolphins just skimming the waves. The oval format adds a sense of intimate, jewel-like elegance, perfect for decorative frames or collectors' cabinets. Engravings like this were revolutionary in the 16th century, democratizing access to elite designs from workshops like Romano's in Mantua. As a key reproductive printmaker, Scultori elevated engraving from mere craft to high art, rivaling painting in detail and tonal subtlety. Dolphins, symbols of love, protection, and the sea's delight (often linked to Venus), paired with putti evoke themes of innocence and erotic frolic, hallmarks of Mannerist exuberance—elongated forms, playful motion, and elegant contrapposto frozen in copperplate precision. Measuring just 5 7/8 x 8 11/16 inches, this gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection, gifted through the Bequest of Phyllis Massar in 2011, invites us to marvel at how printmaking bridged courts and commoners, preserving Romano's fantastical vision for generations.