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Allegory

Allegory

GIORGIO GHISI (1520-82)

Allegory of Life, or The Dream of Raphael

dated 1561

Engraving | 37.6 x 53.8 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 851979

An engraving widely known as 'The Dream of Raphael', or 'Allegory of Life'. Signed and dated on the boat in the centre: 1561. At lower right are the collectors' marks of Jonathan Richardson Senior (Lugt 2184) and Joannes Michiel Rysbrack (Lugt 1912).

The subject of this print is a matter of dispute, and the author of the design is also unclear. An inscription lettered on a small tablet at lower left credits Raphael as the inventor of the composition, but scholars are unanimous in rejecting this view. For further discussion, see Bibliographic References. A late state with addresses of Harman Adolffz and Johannes Meyssens (not described in Bartsch) at RCIN 851980.
  • Creator(s)

    Giorgio Ghisi (1520-82) (engraver)

  • 37.6 x 53.8 cm (sheet of paper)

  • Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)

  • Subject(s)
    • Philosophy & Psychology
      • Philosophy
        • Allegory
  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    pp.114-20 (The engravings of Giorgio Ghisi / introduction and entries by Suzanne Boorsch : catalogue raisonné by Michal and R.E. Lewis. )