An Allegory of the Power of Love, Robetta (Cristofano di Michele Martini) | Mia

An Allegory of the Power of Love, Robetta (Cristofano di Michele Martini) — An Allegory of the Power of Love, c. 1500-1520
Robetta (Cristofano di Michele Martini)
Engraving
Bequest of Herschel V. Jones P.68.250
Not on View
At first glance an erotic romp in the woods, Robetta's allegorical print deals with the darker theme of the vanity of earthly things, namely carnal pleasure. The woman with the wreath in her hair is probably Voluptas, the goddess of pleasure. The putto at right tries to pull the man away from Voluptas while standing on a skull, making him the personification of Death. The putto opposite holds poppies, indicating that he may be Hypnos, the child of Night, who gives mortals dreams of foolishness. Such details ally Robetta's engraving with the "death and the lovers" theme so popular among artists in the North.

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Details

Title: An Allegory of the Power of Love
Dated: c. 1500-1520
Artist: Robetta (Cristofano di Michele Martini)
Nationality: Italian
Artist Life: 1462-after 1534
Role: Artist
Gallery: Not on View
Department: European Art
Dimension: 11 11/16 x 11 in. (29.69 x 27.94 cm) (image)
Credit: Bequest of Herschel V. Jones
Accession Number: P.68.250
Medium: Engraving
Country: Italy
Century: 15th-16th century
Provenance: 'Luca d' Glanda' in ink, verso, not in Lugt; no marks; Knoedler & Co.,1925
Rights: Public Domain
Classification: Prints
Catalogue Raisonne: Hind 29; Bartsch 25
Wikipedia: Cite this information
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Curator Approved: This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These 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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