Tapestries
NICOLAUS BEATRIZET (ACTIVE 1540-72)
The Ascension of Christ
dated 1541Engraving | 27.7 x 31.2 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 853298
A print generally described as probably after a lost design by Raphael. First state. Signed with engraver's monogram and lettered with 'invenit' of Raphael at lower left. Dated and with publisher's address at lower right.
The engraving corresponds in composition with the tapestry of this subject part of the so-called 'Scuola Nuova' set, a twelve-piece set depicting scenes from the Life of Christ (eleven of which survive today in the Vatican Museums).
The ‘Scuola Nuova’ set was probably commissioned by Pope Leo X, but the project seems to have been reactivated by Clement VII after his election as pope in 1523. Apparently designed by Raphael’s former assistants after the death of the master (perhaps incorporating some models by Raphael himself), the tapestries were woven in the workshop of Pieter van Aelst and completed by 1531, when the set was delivered to Rome. Ruland (1876) seemed to accept the view that the ‘Scuola Nuova’ set was a gift to Leo X from Francis I on the occasion of the canonization of Francesco di Paola in 1519. For further discussion, see Bibliographic References.
The engraving corresponds in composition with the tapestry of this subject part of the so-called 'Scuola Nuova' set, a twelve-piece set depicting scenes from the Life of Christ (eleven of which survive today in the Vatican Museums).
The ‘Scuola Nuova’ set was probably commissioned by Pope Leo X, but the project seems to have been reactivated by Clement VII after his election as pope in 1523. Apparently designed by Raphael’s former assistants after the death of the master (perhaps incorporating some models by Raphael himself), the tapestries were woven in the workshop of Pieter van Aelst and completed by 1531, when the set was delivered to Rome. Ruland (1876) seemed to accept the view that the ‘Scuola Nuova’ set was a gift to Leo X from Francis I on the occasion of the canonization of Francesco di Paola in 1519. For further discussion, see Bibliographic References.
Creator(s)
Nicolaus Beatrizet (active 1540-72) (engraver)
After a work attributed to Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (designer)
Tommaso Barlacchi : Rome (publisher)
27.7 x 31.2 cm (sheet of paper)
- Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)
Subject(s)
- Religion & Theology
- Religions and faiths
- Christianity
- Life of Christ
- Ascension of Christ
- Life of Christ
- Christianity
- Religions and faiths
- Religion & Theology
Bibliographic reference(s)
p.142, no.IX.1 (entry by Stefania Massari) (Raphael Invenit 1985 : Bernini Pezzini, G. et al., 1985. Raphael Invenit. Stampe di Raffaello nelle Collezioni dell'Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica, Rome)
p.506, no.H 22.1 (Höper 2001 : Höper, C. Raffael und die Folgen, Hatje Cantz Verlag, 2001)
pp.236-41 (Tapestry in the Renaissance 2002 : Tapestry in the Renaissance. Art and Magnificence, ed. Thomas P. Campbell, The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2002)
