Artwork
Saturno (Saturn)
Saturno (Saturn) 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
This drawing shows an old man with a long beard and a fancy hat, holding a scythe in one hand and a baby in the other.
This drawing shows an old man with a long beard and a fancy hat, holding a scythe in one hand and a baby in the other. Four small children sit around him, looking up or reaching toward him. The man’s robe is thick and detailed, with deep folds. The whole scene feels serious but also a little strange, like a story from long ago.
The artist used lines to build up shadows and shapes—lots of tiny marks make the fabric look real. The date at the bottom says 1467, but the style looks older.
Next, check out engraving to see how artists like this made prints with metal plates.
Overview
Saturno (Saturn) is a 15th-century engraving with remnants of gilding, attributed to the Master of the E-Series Tarocchi, dated circa 1465, though the piece bears a 1467 inscription.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts an aged, bearded Saturn holding a scythe in one hand and an infant in the other, surrounded by four adoring children. This juxtaposition of themes (destruction/renewal, youth/age) suggests a complex, possibly allegorical narrative.
Technique & Style
The artist employed intricate hatching to achieve depth and texture, notably in the subject's heavily draped robe. Despite the 1467 date, the overall style appears somewhat archaic compared to contemporaneous works.
History & Provenance
Created around 1465, with a dated inscription reading 1467, the engraving's provenance history is not detailed here, highlighting only its attribution to the Master of the E-Series Tarocchi.
Context
Part of the E-Series Tarocchi, a set of engraved cards used for gaming and divination, Saturno reflects the Renaissance fascination with mythology and symbolic themes.
Legacy
As a piece of early printmaking, Saturno demonstrates the technical prowess of 15th-century engravers, with its detailed, shaded work influencing subsequent generations of print artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
Master of the E-Series Tarocchi (b. 1400) was an Italian artist.
