Who painted Birth of Memnon?

Birth of Memnon was painted by Giorgio Ghisi in 1535.

Where can I see Birth of Memnon?

Birth of Memnon is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Birth of Memnon?

Birth of Memnon is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Birth of Memnon

Giorgio Ghisi , 1535

Birth of Memnon is a print by the Renaissance artist Giorgio Ghisi. It dates from 1535 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The image captures a lively garden setting where several semi‑nude figures gather around a newborn, while winged children flutter above a distant temple.

Giorgio Ghisi’s engraving titled *Birth of Memnor* translates a mythological tableau into a black‑and‑white print on paper. The image captures a lively garden setting where several semi‑nude figures gather around a newborn, while winged children flutter above a distant temple. The composition is dense, with a central mother‑figure, attendants, and background cherubs rendered in stark tonal contrast.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates the birth of Memnon, the heroic son of the mortal Tithonus and the dawn goddess Aurora, a narrative drawn from classical mythology. By focusing on the intimate moment of the infant’s arrival, the work emphasizes themes of divine lineage and the intersection of mortal and celestial realms, underscored by the presence of playful cherubs and a sacred architectural backdrop.

Technique & Style

Ghisi employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, using deep shadows against bright highlights to model the figures and give them a three‑dimensional presence. The engraving’s fine line work and cross‑hatching create a rich tonal range, a hallmark of Renaissance printmaking that allows the complex composition to retain clarity despite its crowded arrangement.

History & Provenance

The print is a direct adaptation of a fresco by Giulio Romano, originally displayed in the Palazzo del Tè in Mantua. Ghisi’s version disseminated the composition beyond its architectural setting, making the image accessible to collectors and scholars through the reproducible medium of print.

Context

Created during the mid‑16th century, the engraving reflects the period’s fascination with classical subjects and the collaborative exchange between painters and printmakers. By rendering Romano’s fresco in an engraved format, Ghisi contributed to the broader diffusion of Renaissance visual culture across Europe.