Allegory
Allegory
The Reconciliation of Minerva and Cupid
c.1515-1540Engraving | RCIN 851948
This engraving is a copy in the same direction of a print by Marcantonio Raimondi (RCIN 851947: probably after a lost design by Raphael). Lettered at lower centre: RA VR INVEN.
Vasari first identified the subject of Marcantonio's engraving as 'a figure of Peace', followed by Bartsch who entitled it 'Peace' and wrongly associated it with Marcantonio's series of engravings illustrating the Seven Virtues (RCIN 851946.a-g). Wittkower ('Transformations of Minerva in Renaissance Imagery', Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, II, 1938-9, pp.194-205) suggested that the subject may be the 'Reconciliation of Minerva and Cupid', a view which has been accepted by all scholars since. For further discussion, see Bibliographic References.
Vasari first identified the subject of Marcantonio's engraving as 'a figure of Peace', followed by Bartsch who entitled it 'Peace' and wrongly associated it with Marcantonio's series of engravings illustrating the Seven Virtues (RCIN 851946.a-g). Wittkower ('Transformations of Minerva in Renaissance Imagery', Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, II, 1938-9, pp.194-205) suggested that the subject may be the 'Reconciliation of Minerva and Cupid', a view which has been accepted by all scholars since. For further discussion, see Bibliographic References.
Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)