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Tapestries

Tapestries

ENRICO MACCARI (1834-93)

The Massacre of the Innocents

c.1854-1883

Engraving | 51.6 x 78.7 cm (platemark) | RCIN 853224

A print reproducing the three panels of the tapestry of ‘The Massacre of the Innocents’, from a twelve-piece set depicting scenes from the Life of Christ, traditionally known as the ‘Scuola Nuova’ (eleven of which survive today in the Vatican Museums). Giulio Romano is generally held responsible for the design of this tapestry.

Lettered with production details, dedication and dedicatee's coat of arms. With pencil annotations on the front. Described as from Pietro de Brognoli's series of prints after Raphael's Stanze frescoes and Sistine Chapel tapestries dated 1874 (Höper 2001). Not in Ruland (1876).

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)

    Enrico Maccari (1834-93) (engraver)

    After a work copying the workshop of Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (designer)

    Angelo Biggi (active 19th century) (printer)

    Engelbert August Anton of Arenberg, 8th Duke of Arenberg, 14th Duke of Aarschot (1824-75) (dedicatee)

    Pietro Brognoli (active c. 1874) (dedicator)

  • PF 33 B I v
    B I. 1a v

  • 51.6 x 78.7 cm (platemark)

  • LA STRAGE DEGL'INNOCENTI

  • Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (after 1876)

  • Subject(s)
    • Religion & Theology
      • Religions and faiths
        • Christianity
          • Bible & Holy Scripture
  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    p.139, no.I.3 (entry by Grazia Bernini Pezzini) (Raphael Invenit 1985 : Bernini Pezzini, G. et al., 1985. Raphael Invenit. Stampe di Raffaello nelle Collezioni dell'Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica, Rome)
    p.501, no.H 14.5 (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)