print
- Museum number
- 1849,0210.600
- Description
-
Battle between men and satyrs, with numerous figures fighting in a rocky landscape; in the centre a banner held by a man. later 1490s
Woodcut printed from two blocks on two sheets of paper
- Production date
- 1495-1500
- Dimensions
-
Height: 385 millimetres
-
Width: 538 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- One of Barbari's first works, and a companion (though not a pair in format) to his woodcut 'Victory procession of men over satyrs'.
(From M. P. McDonald, Ferdinand Columbus: Renaissance Collector, British Museum, London, 2005)
Jacopo de’ Barbari probably learnt printmaking in Venice in the early 1490s and this is one of the first prints he produced. His woodcuts appear all to have been made during the early years of his career, whereas he produced engravings throughout his life.
This print attests to Jacopo's interest in mythological subjects, which was typical of artists of his day. The scenes were often deliberately obscure to appeal to an inquisitive educated audience; they sometimes provided a riddle for the viewer. The letters on the banner held by the naked man in the centre 'Q.R.F.E.V' , have been interpreted as 'Quemadmodum recte factum esse videte' ('see how all has been well done'), the meaning of which is not entirely clear but possibly refers to the efficacy of the battle. As a printmaker, Jacopo was strongly influenced by Andrea Mantegna, whose influence in this print is particularly evident in the rocky outcrop and the layers of tree foliage at the right.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2004 Jun-July, Madrid, 'LaCaixa', Ferdinand Columbus
2004 Oct-Dec, Seville, Salon Alto del Apeadero, Ferdinand Columbus
- Acquisition date
- 1849
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1849,0210.600
