Giorgio Ghisi (1520-1582)
by Giulio Romano (1499?-1546)
"Allegory of the Nativity," 1558
Copperplate
Dimensions: 26 × 42 cm (sheet, trimmed)
Dimensions with frame: 52 × 37 cm
A rare and highly decorative copperplate by Giorgio Ghisi, one of the most prominent Italian engravers of the 16th century, executed according to a composition by Giulio Romano, a pupil of Raphael and a leading representative of Italian Mannerism.
The representation shows an allegorical birth scene, in which classical elegance of forms meets spiritual symbolism. The central part of the composition is occupied by a woman receiving a newborn child, surrounded by figures of cupids and allegorical deities. In the background can be seen a figure in contemplation and a landscape illuminated by divine light - a motif typical of Renaissance representations of birth and divine revelation.
The engraving is characterized by exquisite chiaroscuro (chiaroscuro) and extraordinary precision of line, evident in the draperies, bodies and ornaments. It is a classic example of the virtuosity of Ghisi's workshop - an engraver whose works combined scientific perfectionism with poetic mood.
---------------
Giorgio Ghisi (1520 - December 15, 1582) - Italian engraver from Mantua, who also worked in Antwerp and France. He created both engravings and Damascene metalwork, although only two surviving examples of the latter are known. He created in the late Mannerist style. Ghisi was a reproductive engraver - he based his work on paintings by other artists, though he often developed backgrounds with landscapes of his own devising and added lush vegetation. Although he did most of his work outside Italy, he almost always modeled his work on the work of Italian artists. He belonged to the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke as a copperplate engraver.
Condition as shown in the photos.
