Two Putti Presenting Cups Full of Gold to the God of Riches

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. This impression is generally described as a second state. Signed with engraver’s monogram (a die with the letter B, lower right). 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 853314. For a late state with the address of Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi published in 1655, see RCIN 853315. The three other engravings from the Master of the Die’s series can be found at RCINs 853316, 853319, 853321. For further discussion about the ‘Giuochi di Putti’ tapestry set, see Bibliographic References.