Artwork
Clio
Clio is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Master of the E-Series Tarocchi. It dates from 1465 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1465, this engraving—titled Clio—is attributed to the anonymous Master of the E‑Series Tarocchi. Executed on paper with traces of gilding, the print presents a solitary female figure rendered in delicate line work, characteristic of mid‑15th‑century Northern European printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is a winged woman, traditionally identified with the muse Clio, patron of history. She holds a scroll in one hand, symbolizing recorded events, and a long ribbon in the other, perhaps indicating the passage of time. Her loose hair and flowing, heavy‑fabric robe convey a dignified, timeless presence.
Technique & Style
The artist employed fine, cross‑hatching lines to model the folds of the robe, the texture of the wings, and the subtle landscape behind the figure. Small areas of gilding accentuate the robe and wings, creating a luminous contrast against the monochrome engraving. The background consists of minimal linear indications of land and a modest building, focusing attention on the central figure.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the Master of the E‑Series Tarocchi, a workshop known for producing a series of allegorical cards, the print belongs to a corpus of late medieval engravings that circulated in Italy and the Low Countries. Its exact ownership trail is unclear, but it has been documented in several European print collections since the 19th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
Master of the E-Series Tarocchi (b. 1400) was an Italian artist.
