Giulio Bonasone (Italian, c. 1510–after 1576)
after Polidoro Caldara, called Polidoro da Caravaggio (Italian, c. 1499-c. 1543)
published by Antoine Lafréry (French, active Italy, 1512-1577)
Cloelia Crossing the Tiber
INV-1119
Giulio Bonasone (Italian, c. 1510–after 1576)
after Polidoro Caldara, called Polidoro da Caravaggio (Italian, c. 1499-c. 1543)
published by Antoine Lafréry (French, active Italy, 1512-1577)c. 1540
Cloelia Crossing the Tiber
Giulio Bonasone (Italian, c. 1510–after 1576) after Polidoro Caldara, called Polidoro da Caravaggio (Italian, c. 1499-c. 1543) published by Antoine Lafréry (French, active Italy, 1512-1577) →engravingprint
Date
c. 1540
Medium
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image/sheet, trimmed within platemark: 29.3 × 42.5 cm (11 9/16 × 16 3/4 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Elizabeth Hammond Stickney Collection
Plutarch’s early history of Rome recounts the bravery of Cloelia, who was one of several hostages held by the Etruscans during peace negotiations. Cloelia lead a group of women in their escape away from the Clusium camp and across the Tiber river.
With dramatic contrast, Giulio di Antonio Bonasone engraved flourishing dresses and swirling waters in the foreground and closely parallel lines in the shadowy background to heighten the excitement of the rescue. The sculptural effect of the light and dark values mimic an architectural frieze, the original composition of which may have been designed by Polidoro da Caravaggio.