decorative pattern: two winged nude female figures with animal-like lower bodies flanking a vertical stem at center; each holds a twisted frond that curls, and swirls into larger leaf pattern

Ornament with Two Winged Female Half-Length Figures, 1537

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Ornament designers hit the motherlode when Emperor Nero’s ancient villa was excavated in Rome in about 1480. A profusion of strange hybrid creatures was found frescoed on underground spaces, or grottos—hence the name grotesques. These fabulous creatures migrated north and inspired this furry-legged nude by Master of the Horse Heads, an unidentified Dutch printmaker known by his horse imagery.

Details
Title
Ornament with Two Winged Female Half-Length Figures
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.93.113
Provenance
Albertina, Vienna, duplicate, Lugt 5h and Lugt 5e. [Kennedy Galleries, New York; sold to Andrus]; John E. Andrus III, Wayzata, Minn.; by descent to his daughters, Elizabeth, Katie, and Julie; gave to MIA, 2015. Earlier provenances have been gathered, but further research will increase our knowledge of their histories.
Catalogue Raisonne
Hollstein 4; Bartsch 27 (vol. 10, p. 157)
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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decorative pattern: two winged nude female figures with animal-like lower bodies flanking a vertical stem at center; each holds a twisted frond that curls, and swirls into larger leaf pattern