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Other Frescoes

Other Frescoes

MARCO DENTE DA RAVENNA (D. 1527)

The birth of Venus

c.1516-1520

Engraving | 26.1 x 17.1 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 853859

An engraving by Marco Dente reproducing the fresco, designed by Raphael, depicting the birth of Venus on the east wall of the stufetta, or bathroom, in the apartments of Cardinal Bibbiena in the Vatican Palace. The stufetta was frescoed with mythological subjects by Raphael's workshop c.1516. Signed in the shell with the engraver's monogram (Nagler, V, no.265). Annotated on verso. Trimmed to image. Annotated on verso. First state.

Cardinal Bibbiena had a close friendship with Raphael, patronising him on a number of occasions and, it would seem, facilitating the betrothal of the artist to his niece. In addition to the stufetta, Raphael's workshop also painted Cardinal Bibbiena's loggia. Both spaces were designed in a manner imitating ancient Roman painted decoration, and included depictions of episodes from Ovid, grotesques and ornamental motifs. The stufetta was rediscovered in the nineteenth century and survives in a much damaged form today; the loggetta was not rediscovered until the twentieth century. 
  • Creator(s)

    Marco Dente Da Ravenna (d. 1527) (engraver)

    After a work by the workshop of Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (artist)

  • 26.1 x 17.1 cm (sheet of paper)

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

  • Subject(s)
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Italy
          • Lazio [Italy]
            • Rome [Lazio]
              • Vatican City [Rome]
                • Vatican Palace [Vatican City]
                  • Bathroom (stufetta) of Cardinal Bibbiena [Vatican Palace]