Artwork
Two Women with the Zodiac
Two Women with the Zodiac is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Marcantonio Raimondi. It dates from 1507 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1507, *Two Women with the Zodiac* is an engraving by the Italian printmaker Marcantonio Raimondi. Executed on copper, the image presents a pair of draped female figures positioned before a bare pedestal, accompanied by a sparse landscape that includes a tree, foliage, and faint indications of a bird and a tool. The work exemplifies early 16th‑century reproductive printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features one seated woman holding an open book and a second standing figure with crossed arms. Their solemn poses and the empty pedestal have been interpreted as allegorical, suggesting the representation of abstract concepts—perhaps virtues or celestial influences linked to the zodiac—rather than portraiture of specific individuals.
Technique & Style
Raimondi employed fine, incised lines to model the folds of the garments and to render subtle shading that conveys volume. The engraving demonstrates the precise hatching and cross‑hatching typical of his workshop, allowing a clear delineation of texture and depth while maintaining a controlled, linear aesthetic.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during Raimondi’s most productive period, when he was actively collaborating with leading High Renaissance artists, especially Raphael. By adapting designs from such masters, Raimondi helped disseminate their compositions throughout Europe. Surviving copies are found in several major museum collections, confirming its wide distribution in the early modern print market.
Context
At the turn of the 16th century, engraving was evolving from a craft to a vehicle for artistic exchange. Raimondi’s systematic approach to line work and his role in reproducing painted compositions contributed to the standardization of print techniques in Italy, influencing contemporaries and later generations of engravers.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marcantonio Raimondi, often called simply Marcantonio (c. 1470/82 – c. 1534), was an Italian engraver, known for being the first important printmaker whose body of work consists largely of prints copying paintings. He…
