Jul 17, 2014
Aug 21, 2006

Orpheus Charming the Animals

Orpheus Charming the Animals

c. 1505

Marcantonio Raimondi

(Italian, 1470/82–1527/34)

Engraving

Plate: 21.4 x 17.3 cm (8 7/16 x 6 13/16 in.)

Dudley P. Allen Fund 1930.579

Catalogue raisonné: Delaborde 175.131 ; Bartsch XIV 236.314 ; Passavant VI.30.191

Location

Description

In Greek mythology, Orpheus was a singer and poet. He was given a lyre by Apollo, the god of music, and was taught to play by the Muses. His songs, melodiously accompanied by his instrument, were so beautiful that they pacified wild animals, calmed the seas, and animated trees and rocks. Here, a subdued bear is depicted in close proximity to a dog, and stones have gathered at the musician’s feet. The instrument depicted here is a lira da braccio, an instrument played by Leonardo da Vinci at the time when this engraving was made.

See also
Collection: 
PR - Engraving
Department: 
Prints
Type of artwork: 
Print
Medium: 
Engraving
Credit line: 
Dudley P. Allen Fund

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email [email protected].

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.