Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Perino del Vaga, 1542
Untitled, by Perino del Vaga, 1542

Untitled is a print by the Renaissance artist Perino del Vaga. It dates from 1542 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This untitled print presents a complex, symbolic scene blending mythological figures, natural elements, and architectural fragments. The composition is densely populated with interconnected motifs.

Subject & Meaning

At its core, the print features a winged, chubby figure (likely Cupid) holding a book, surrounded by contrasting elements: strife (naked women fighting near a broken column above) and the emergence of a horned, vine-entwined face below. These elements may allude to themes of love, discord, and revelation.

Technique & Style

The print exhibits a characteristic Renaissance penchant for intricate, swirling compositions that blend mythological and natural motifs. The dense, interlocking design suggests a sophisticated use of engraving techniques to achieve depth and visual interest.

History & Provenance

Originally attributed to Raphael's circle through a set of six plates, this print was later reassigned to Perino del Vaga based on a related Uffizi drawing (1966 attribution by Konrad Oberhuber). Two verses of Italian poetry are integrated into the design, referencing the discovery of underground Roman rooms.

Context

Created within the Renaissance's rich symbolic and mythological landscape, the print reflects the era's fascination with combining disparate elements to convey complex meanings. The inclusion of poetry further grounds the work in contemporary intellectual and artistic practices.

Legacy

As part of a reassigned set once linked to Raphael and later to Perino del Vaga, this print contributes to the understanding of attribution challenges in Renaissance art and the evolution of stylistic identifications over time.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Perino del Vaga

Artist

Perino del Vaga

Piero Bonaccorsi (1501 – October 19, 1547), known as Perino (or Perin) del Vaga, was an Italian painter and draughtsman of the Late Renaissance/Mannerism.