Artwork
The Golden Calf
The Golden Calf is a print by Jacopo Leonardis. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1750 paper print, executed by Jacopo Leonardis, reproduces a composition originally devised by Tintoretto. The image captures the biblical episode of the Golden Calf, arranging a crowded terrestrial setting beneath a tumultuous sky. Figures are shown both on the ground, clustered around a massive idol, and aloft, some descending or being cast down, creating a dynamic narrative tableau.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualizes the Israelites’ idolatrous worship of a golden calf, juxtaposing the earthly congregation with celestial turmoil. The fallen figures in the heavens suggest divine displeasure, while the grounded crowd’s focus on the idol underscores themes of transgression and communal folly. The composition functions as a moral allegory warning against the allure of false worship.
Technique & Style
The stylistic approach mirrors Tintoretto’s dramatic Baroque sensibility, emphasizing kinetic energy and emotional intensity through light and dark.
Leonardis employs chiaroscuro, rendering stark contrasts between illuminated forms and deep shadows to heighten drama. The print’s line work delineates muscular bodies and architectural elements, while the tonal gradations suggest volume and movement. The stylistic approach mirrors Tintoretto’s dramatic Baroque sensibility, emphasizing kinetic energy and emotional intensity through light and dark.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑18th century, the print reflects the period’s interest in disseminating celebrated paintings through reproducible media. Leonardis, known for translating masterworks into prints, chose Tintoretto’s dramatic biblical scene for its popular religious resonance. The piece entered private collections shortly after its issue and later appeared in several European print catalogues, documenting its circulation among connoisseurs.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 18th-century printmaker carved biblical scenes into copper plates. Jacopo Leonardis turned two dramatic moments—The Last Judgment and The Golden Calf—into dark, finely detailed images meant to be pasted on walls or…
The Last Judgment
The Conversion of Saint Paul
The Angel Appearing to Joseph
Alpheus and Arethusa
The Madonna del Carmelo Appearing to Saint Simon Stock
Nella Venuta in Roma: pl. 7
Mars's Revenge on Adonis
The Flight with the Holy Family at the Right
La simple Nature
Allegory of Winter with Diana the Huntress
The Triumph of Wisdom
The Stoning of Saint Stephen