The Triumph of Bacchus and Silenus

An engraving on 3-joined sheets of paper. This print is a copy (in reverse) of a plate engraved by Cornelis Bos dated 1543 (RCIN 851822), the original source of which is still a matter of dispute. Some scholars have suggested that it may be based on a drawing by Maarten van Heemskerck (Lise 1973, pp.143-9; New Hollstein, van Heemskerck, no.507), whereas others think it may derive from a design by Giulio Romano inspired by the Antique (Massari 1993, under no.203). The present print, lettered with text in the lower margin, credits Raphael as the inventor of the composition; it is dated (1594) and signed with engraver's monogram (MAR) in a cartouche at lower left, which Nagler (IV, no.1607) identifies as Martin Rota's. An another version of this plate survives, identical in all details except for the monogram which is substituted by 'Fran.s Bert.s' (Francesco Bertarelli?).