Artwork

Dutch captions to 'La Calvacatura con le sue Cerimonie'

Dutch captions to 'La Calvacatura con le sue Cerimonie', by Italian 16th Century, ink, 1544
Dutch captions to 'La Calvacatura con le sue Cerimonie', by Italian 16th Century, ink, 1544

Dutch captions to 'La Calvacatura con le sue Cerimonie' is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 16th Century. It dates from 1544 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 16th-century engraving, 'La Calvacatura con le sue Cerimonie', captures a vibrant papal procession at the Lateran, showcasing Antonio Tempesta's skill in depicting ceremonial grandeur.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving portrays the inauguration of a new pope, highlighting the pomp and participation of various social groups—clergy, military, and civilians—emphasizing the public and religious significance of the event.

Technique & Style

Tempesta employed cross-hatching, a technique involving intricate, layered lines, to achieve depth and three-dimensionality, drawing the viewer into the densely populated scene.

History & Provenance

Created between 1575 and 1630, the exact date within this range is unspecified; the work is attributed to Antonio Tempesta, an artist of the time, though specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

The engraving reflects the ceremonial culture of the Catholic Church during the late Renaissance, capturing the intersection of religious and public life in 16th-century Rome.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Italian 16th Century

Artist

Italian 16th Century

A 16th-century Italian sculptor left us small bronze works in dark brown and gold.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.