Artwork
Equitum, in Quirinali, aversa parte
Equitum, in Quirinali, aversa parte is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 16th Century. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
It depicts a monumental scene in which two colossal male figures stand upon brick bases, each supporting a horse of comparable scale.
The print, titled *Equitum, in Quirinali, aversa parte*, is an engraving executed on laid paper. It depicts a monumental scene in which two colossal male figures stand upon brick bases, each supporting a horse of comparable scale. The composition includes two diminutive human figures below, one standing and one kneeling, observing the towering forms, set against a distant landscape with sparse trees and a modest building.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a fantastical juxtaposition of human and equine enormity, suggesting a mythological or allegorical narrative rooted in Renaissance reinterpretations of classical themes. The presence of the smaller figures emphasizes the awe-inspiring scale of the statues, inviting contemplation of humanity’s relationship to heroic or divine archetypes.
Technique & Style
Created through engraving, the artist incised fine lines into a metal plate, allowing for precise control of line weight and hatching to model volume and shadow. The use of laid paper contributes a textured surface that enhances the tonal gradations, while the meticulous line work conveys a three‑dimensional illusion within the flat medium.
History & Provenance
A brief inscription at the bottom of the print identifies it as a product of the Renaissance period, indicating the artist’s engagement with antiquarian sources. No further documentation of ownership or exhibition history is provided, leaving the work’s later trajectory largely unrecorded.
Context
During the Renaissance, engravers frequently reproduced and reimagined classical motifs, often blending ancient myth with contemporary artistic conventions. This print aligns with that tradition, employing the medium’s capacity for detail to explore grandiose subjects that would have appealed to collectors interested in antiquarian scholarship.
Artist & collection
Artist
A 16th-century Italian sculptor left us small bronze works in dark brown and gold.
![The Dioscuri [Dorsal View], by Italian 16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/italian-16th-century--the-dioscuri-dorsal-view--85eaf25b17a4dcfe-w320.webp)
![The Dioscuri [Frontal View], by Italian 16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/italian-16th-century--the-dioscuri-frontal-view--240168a96b76ef0b-w320.webp)
