The rising of Aurora

An engraving attributed by Bartsch to Marcantonio Raimondi after Raphael depicting Aurora rising from the sea in a chariot. Annotated on the verso. Trimmed within the platemark.

According to Ruland (1876) this print is related to the commission by Count Baldassarre Castiglione to Raphael (1514) of a medal to be used as his 'impresa' (motto). This medal has been identified with one in the British Museum (inv. no. G3,IP.309) and one in the National Gallery of Art, Washington (inv. no. 1957.14.899.b).

Albury (see Bibliographic References) uses this print to confirm that the central figure represented in these medals is actually Aurora. The medals feature a portrait of Castiglione on the observe and the figure of Aurora on the reverse (the inscription reads 'Of darkness and light'). The medal in the British Museum is catalogued as by an anonymous Roman medallist, possibly after a design by Raphael.

Raphael and Baldassare Castiglione, a scholar-diplomat and author of the famous book of etiquette, 'The Courtier', both moved in the same artistic and intellectual circles within the papal court.