Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Giorgio Ghisi in 1535.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Untitled

Giorgio Ghisi , 1535

Untitled 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

This black‑and‑white print, executed by Giorgio Ghisi in 1535 after a design by Giulio Romano, portrays a scene of cupping therapy. Rendered on paper, the image presents a dim interior illuminated by a single candle, highlighting a group of five figures surrounding a bedridden woman and her infant.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a bearded man applying cupping treatment to the woman on the bed, a practice associated with contemporary medical theories of balancing bodily humors. A second woman attends the patient, while a child kneels nearby and another woman leans over, suggesting a domestic or familial context for the therapeutic act.

Technique & Style

Ghisi employs pronounced chiaroscuro, using the candle’s glow to generate stark contrasts between light and shadow. The strong tonal differences delineate the figures and objects, a hallmark of Renaissance printmaking that emphasizes three‑dimensional form within a limited monochrome palette.

History & Provenance

The print originates from a collaboration between Giulio Romano, who supplied the original composition, and the renowned engraver Giorgio Ghisi, known for translating complex designs into prints. Produced in the mid‑sixteenth century, it reflects the period’s interest in medical illustration and the dissemination of artistic ideas through print media.

Context

Cupping therapy was a common medical procedure in Renaissance Italy, often depicted in visual sources to educate or inform viewers about contemporary health practices. The inclusion of domestic elements—shelves with jars, a curtain, and familial figures—situates the treatment within a familiar household environment.