Engraving “the Calumny Of Apelle” By Giorgio Ghisi, After Lucas Penni, Renaissance, Italy

Technique: Engraving on laid paper (without watermark)
Creation Date: 1560
Publisher: Jacques Honervogt (1583 – 1666)

The Artist:
Giorgio Ghisi was born in Mantua in 1520 and died in the same city in 1582. A painter and engraver, he was a student of Giulio Romano. He reproduced the works of many artists, including, for this piece, a drawing by Lucas Penni (1500–1556), which is now lost (ref.: Bartsch, no. 64; Lewis, no. 27).

The Subject:
The subject of this engraving is inspired by Lucian of Samosata's description of a painting by Apelles of Kos, who lived in the 4th century BCE. Apelles, having been slandered by a fellow artist, depicted his story in a painting as an allegory. Here, the slandered figure is a child who, falsely accused, represents Innocence. He is dragged by the hair by a richly dressed young woman, Calumny. She is accompanied by Seduction, Deceit, Snare, and Fraud and supported by an old woman in rags, representing Vindictive Hatred or Envy. Both women address King Midas, seated on his throne with donkey ears, and advised by Suspicion and Ignorance. In the background, a woman, representing Penitence or Remorse, clasps her hands in prayer, invoking Celestial Truth.

Inscriptions:

On a carved cartouche on the throne: “GIOR / GIVS / GHISI / MANT / F / 1560”

On a large stone cartouche placed on the ground and leaning against the step:
“ATTRAHIT INSONTEM PERIVRA CALUMNIA APELLEM / IN IUS IMMISCENS FANDA NEFANDA SIMUL / AURICULIS IUDEX INSIGNIS TEMPORA ASELLI / IUS PARITER REDDIT COCLITE CU COMITE / TEMPORIS AT DEMU QUA FERTUR FILLIA; SEROS / IN LUCEM PROFERT QUI LATUERE DOLOS”

On a small stone cartouche placed on the ground and leaning against the step: “CUM PRIVILE / GIO REGIS”

To the left of the large stone cartouche: “I Honervogt exc” (“exc” for excudit, meaning “published it”)

On a small stone cartouche placed on the ground and leaning against the step: “LUCA / PENIS / IN” (“in” for invenit, meaning “created it”)

Observations:
• Small losses and short tears along the edges, a few small brown stains near the large cartouche, slight creases at the corners, a diagonal white mark near the canopy.


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