Lycaon

An engraving traditionally described as being after a design by Raphael. First state; crediting Raphael as the inventor of the composition at upper right (RAPHAE./VR./INVEN). Dated and signed on plate with engraver's monogram at lower left (A.V.). The pose of Jupiter, which seems to derive from ancient statues of River Gods including the so-called 'Vatican Nile' (Oberhuber/Gnann 1999) and the marble sculpture of 'Marforio' (Raphael Invenit 1985), resembles that of Isaac in two scenes frescoed in the vault of the fifth bay of the Raphael Loggia in the Vatican. According to Massari (in Raphael Invenit 1985), the engraving may have been based upon a drawing by the School of Raphael (style of Penni?) inspired by the Antique.