Three Putti Playing with an Ostrich

A print from a series of four engravings reproducing the composition of four tapestries from a twenty-piece set known as the ‘Giuochi di putti’, most likely designed by Giovanni da Udine (perhaps with Raphael's involvement in its conception) and woven in Flanders for Pope Leo X. Not in Ruland (1876). Pasted to backing sheet along left edge, with annotations on the back. This impression is generally described as a second state. Signed with engraver’s monogram (a die with the letter B, lower left). Lettered with attribution of the design to Raphael and Antoine Lafréry’s address. According to Bartsch, the first state bears the engraver’s signature, but is without further inscriptions.

Massari (in Raphael Invenit 1985) dated the series to c.1532. Another second state impression can be found at RCIN 853316. For a late state, see RCIN 853318. The three other engravings from the Master of the Die’s series can be found at RCINs 853313, 853319, 853321. For further discussion about the ‘Giuochi di Putti’ tapestry set, see Bibliographic References.