Allegory
Allegory
GIORGIO GHISI (1520-82)
Allegory of Life, or The Dream of Raphael
dated 1561Engraving | 44.6 x 63.9 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 851980
An engraving widely known as 'The Dream of Raphael', or 'Allegory of Life'. Signed and dated on the boat in the centre: 1561. This is a late state with addresses of Harman Adolffz (lower left) and Johannes Meyssens (on the boat in the centre). State not described in Bartsch. Laid down on a sheet annotated in pencil. Not listed in Ruland's Raphael Collection catalogue (1876).
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. A first state impression at RCIN 851979. For further discussion, see RCIN 851979.
Creator(s)
Giorgio Ghisi (1520-82) (engraver)
Harman Adolffz : Amsterdam (publisher)
Joannes Meyssens (1612-70) (publisher)
163. [upper right]; Pf.19. C.XVII [lower left]
Datus
L. [...] [crossed out]
44.6 x 63.9 cm (sheet of paper)
Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (after 1876)
Subject(s)
- Philosophy & Psychology
- Philosophy
- Allegory
- Philosophy
- Philosophy & Psychology
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. )
