Artwork
Fama
Fama is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Nicoletto da Modena. It dates from 1507 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Nicoletto da Modena’s engraving titled *Fama*, dated around 1507, presents a winged female figure seated amid a cluster of objects. She holds a shield bearing the inscription “SPQR,” while her expansive wings suggest motion. The composition includes a vase, a plate, a book, and a backdrop of columns and a tree, creating a sense of depth and activity.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure embodies the personification of Fame, a common allegorical motif in Renaissance art. The shield’s “SPQR” links the concept to the Roman Republic, implying that renown is tied to civic virtue and public achievement. The surrounding items—vase, plate, book—symbolize the various domains—art, domestic life, scholarship—through which fame may be propagated.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving, the work relies on fine incised lines to render intricate details and tonal variations. Nicoletto’s handling of hatching creates a dynamic contrast between the illuminated shield and the shadowed background, while the crisp delineation of the wings conveys a sense of movement typical of early 16th‑century Northern Italian printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the early 1500s, a period when Nicoletto da Modena was active in the artistic circles of Modena and surrounding regions. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the engraving appears in several 16th‑century print collections, indicating it circulated among collectors interested in allegorical and civic themes.
Context
*Fama* reflects the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity and the revival of Roman symbols such as SPQR. The allegorical treatment aligns with contemporary humanist interests in virtue, reputation, and the public sphere, situating the work within broader intellectual currents that celebrated the moral and civic dimensions of fame.
Artist & collection
