Artwork
Atalanta's race
Atalanta's race is a tempera painting by Niccolò Giolfino. It dates from 1525 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
Atalanta’s race is a tempera painting from circa 1525, attributed to Niccolò Giolfino, a Renaissance artist primarily active in Verona. Unlike his predominant religious output for local churches, this work draws from classical mythology.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a pivotal moment from the myth of Atalanta, focusing on a dynamic race scene. A central female figure in yellow dominates the foreground, either mid-stride in the competition or its immediate aftermath, contrasted with another woman fallen in white.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the piece showcases Giolfino’s attention to detail and chromatic richness. The composition blends vibrant, colored attire (notably red and yellow) against a serene blue sky, set amidst architectural backgrounds.
History & Provenance
Atalanta’s race is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum’s collection, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
While Giolfino is best known for religious works tailored to Verona’s ecclesiastical needs, this painting reflects the broader Renaissance interest in classical themes, suggesting a potential private commission or personal project.
Artist & collection
Artist
Niccolò Giolfino (c. 1476 – 1555) was an Italian painter of the Renaissance period, active mainly in Verona. He painted mainly sacred subjects for local churches.
the conversion of St Paul
Tarquinius Priscus Entering Rome
The Rape of the Sabine Women
The Conversion of Saint Paul
Tarquinius Priscus Entering Rome
Procession of the Magi
Julius Caesar and the Crossing of the Rubicon (scene from the story of Alexander the Great)
The Flight of the Vestal Virgins
The Beheading of St John the Baptist
Panel from a Cassone: The Race of the Palio in the Streets of Florence
The Rape of the Sabines