Who painted Melpomene?

Melpomene was painted by Master of the E-Series Tarocchi in 1465.

Where can I see Melpomene?

Melpomene is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Melpomene?

Melpomene is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Melpomene

Master of the E-Series Tarocchi , 1465

Melpomene 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. Created around 1465, this print is an engraving attributed to the anonymous Master of the E‑Series Tarocchi.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1465, this print is an engraving attributed to the anonymous Master of the E‑Series Tarocchi. Executed on a metal plate with traces of gilding, the work measures a modest size typical of late‑medieval devotional prints. The title Melpomene, placed at the lower edge, identifies the figure with the classical muse of tragedy, linking the image to Renaissance interests in antiquity.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a female figure playing a long horn, her torso twisted in the act of blowing. She is dressed in a loosely draped robe cinched with a belt and stands barefoot on a gently sloping, grassy hill. A small town is visible on a distant rise, while a large circular shield rests against her leg, suggesting a blend of pastoral and martial symbolism.

Technique & Style

The artist employed delicate, intersecting lines to render shadows and surface texture, from the folds of the garment to the grain of the shield. These fine incisions create a subtle tonal modeling characteristic of mid‑15th‑century engraving. Small areas of gilding were applied to the plate, adding a faint metallic sheen that highlights select details without overwhelming the monochrome design.

History & Provenance

The work belongs to a series of prints known as the E‑Series Tarocchi, a group of allegorical cards circulated in northern Italy during the late Gothic period.

The work belongs to a series of prints known as the E‑Series Tarocchi, a group of allegorical cards circulated in northern Italy during the late Gothic period. Though the creator remains unidentified, the series is linked to a workshop that produced similar iconographic sets for private collectors. The print has survived in several museum collections, indicating its continued appreciation as a representative example of early print culture.