Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Pietro Santi Bartoli in 1650.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Untitled

Untitled is a print by Pietro Santi Bartoli. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This early‑modern print presents a tranquil rural tableau in which the infant Jupiter is attended by the nymph Amalthea and nourished by a goat. Executed on paper by Pietro Santi Bartoli around 1650, the image translates a prior composition by Giulio Romano into a monochrome engraving, preserving the serene atmosphere of the original design.

Subject & Meaning

The work illustrates the mythic episode of Jupiter’s infancy, when the god was hidden from his father Saturn and raised in the countryside. Amalthea, often identified as a shepherdess, cradles the child while a goat offers milk, symbolising the nurturing protection afforded to the future ruler of the heavens.

Technique & Style

Bartoli employed fine line engraving to render delicate textures of skin, fur, and foliage. The muted tonal range of browns and greens creates depth without colour, while the careful hatching suggests the softness of the landscape and the calm interaction between figures and animals.

History & Provenance

The image is a reproductive print derived from a composition by Giulio Romano, a prominent Mannerist painter. Bartoli, known for his scholarly reproductions of Renaissance works, produced this engraving circa 1650, contributing to the diffusion of Romano’s mythological subjects across Europe.

Context

During the mid‑seventeenth century, prints served as a primary means of disseminating classical themes and artistic ideas. Bartoli’s rendition reflects the period’s interest in antiquity and the pastoral ideal, aligning with contemporary taste for learned, narrative imagery.

Artist & collection

Artist

Pietro Santi Bartoli

Pietro Santi Bartoli was an artist who loved to draw. He lived a long time ago and made detailed prints. One cool thing about him is that he was really good at copying old paintings, like turning them into prints. Check…