MASTER OF THE DIE (ACTIVE 1530-60)

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

c.1530-35

Engraving | 22.9 x 28.5 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 853314

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 annotation on the back. 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 853313. For a late state published in 1655 by Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi, 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.

Creator(s)

Master of the Die (active 1530-60) (engraver)

Giovanni da Udine (c. 1487-1564) (designer)

Associated with Raphael (1483-1520) (designer)

Antoine Lafréry (1512-77) (publisher)

Subject(s)

Pope Leo X (1475-1521)
annotation: No 32 [back, lower left, in pencil]
22.9 x 28.5 cm (sheet of paper)
Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (after 1876)
Subject(s)
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  Biological sciences
  Zoology
  Animals
  Mythical creatures
  Putti
  Chemistry
  Metals
  Gold
- Arts, Recreation, Entertainment & Sport
  Decorative techniques & surface decoration
  Floral decorations
  Garlands
Object type(s)
Bibliographic reference(s)

Raphael Invenit 1985 : G. Bernini Pezzini et al., Raphael Invenit. Stampe di Raffaello nelle Collezioni dell'Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica, Rome, 1985 pp.137-8, no.II.1 (entry by Stefania Massari)

Cordellier/Py 1992 : Raphael : son atelier, ses copistes, 1992 / par Dominique Cordellier et Bernadette Py, Paris (Inventaire general des dessins Italiens ; V / sous la direction de Francoise Viatte) pp.606-11

Tapestry in the Renaissance 2002 : Tapestry in the Renaissance. Art and Magnificence, ed. Thomas P. Campbell, The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2002 pp.229-33

Other number(s)

Ruland p.258 D.I.3a(add)

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

Creator(s)

Subject(s)

Subject(s)

Object type(s)

Bibliographic reference(s)

Other number(s)

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