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1 of 253523 objects
The Banquet of the Gods c.1630-40
Etching | 18.9 x 49.5 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 853973

François Perrier (c. 1600-49)
The Banquet of the Gods c.1630-40
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An etching in reverse of the fresco depicting the Banquet of the Gods from the vault of the entrance loggia of the Farnesina, Agostino Chigi's villa in Rome, which was frescoed with mythological subjects by Raphael's workshop c.1518. The print is inscribed in ink at the lower left corner: "Raphael Vrbin inventor; Fr Paria incid". This is probably the second state of the print (see Bibliographic References). Trimmed within platemark.
Perrier in Rome made many prints after Raphael, and particurarly two series after the two central scenes of the vault of the entrance loggia of the Farnesina. This etching belongs to the first series, while the second series depicts the scenes without being reversed. On watermarked paper.
The fresco decoration in the Farnesina illustrates the classical fable of Cupid and Psyche, a story which was also frequently used to decorate Florentine wedding chests. Raphael's fresco scheme comprises two primary scenes in the vault (painted to resemble tapestries), accompanied by a series of episodes painted in the pendentives. The whole is encompassed within a fictive pergola, which gives the viewer the impression of looking up into the heavens. Only the upper part of the loggia is painted (the vault and its supporting pendentives and spandrels).Provenance
Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Etching
Measurements
18.9 x 49.5 cm (sheet of paper)
Markings
watermark: Not identifiable [lower right ]
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Bibliographic reference(s)
Raphael Invenit 1985 : G. Bernini Pezzini et al., Raphael Invenit. Stampe di Raffaello nelle Collezioni dell'Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica, Rome, 1985 pp. 154, n. 17-18
Jones/Penny 1983 : Jones, R. and Penny, N. Raphael, 1983 pp.183-89