Giovanni Pietro da Birago
Italian, c. 1470-1513
Nereid Ridden by Two Children, plate six of Twelve Ornament Panels
INV-2344
Giovanni Pietro da Birago
Italian, c. 1470-15131505/15
Nereid Ridden by Two Children, plate six of Twelve Ornament Panels
Giovanni Pietro da Birago Italian, c. 1470-1513 →engravingprint
Date
1505/15
Medium
Engraving on grayish ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Plate: 55 × 8.9 cm (21 11/16 × 3 9/16 in.); Sheet: 55.2 × 10.6 cm (21 3/4 × 4 3/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.
This engraving comes from a series of columnar panels based on architectural sculpture from the 14th century. The set of 12 could be cut out and used as wall decorations or framing devices. The many mythological creatures in this series, such as the Triton and Nereid, exemplify the grotesque decorative style that was popular at the time. Palaces, tombs, and villas in this style were unearthed around Rome and Naples, especially the Emperor Nero’s Domus Aurea palace, which had ancient wall paintings intact. Many Italian Renaissance artists were interested in renewing this ancient style and copied it frequently.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
Four Children with a Cat and a Dog, plate nine from Twelve Ornament Panels
Giovanni Pietro da Birago Italian, active 1470-1513
Triton Ridden by a Child, plate one of Twelve Ornament Panels
Giovanni Pietro da Birago Italian, active 1470-1513
Two Children Wearing Helmets, plate three of Twelve Ornament Panels
Giovanni Pietro da Birago Italian, active 1470-1513
