Artwork
Covered Cup with Satyrs
Covered Cup with Satyrs is a print by the Renaissance artist Virgil Solis. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1546 by Virgil Solis, Covered Cup with Satyrs is a print housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, featuring a detailed, ornate design.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a tall, elaborate cup with a lid, adorned with foliage and encircled by small satyrs at its base, introducing a playful element amidst the cup's luxury.
Technique & Style
Rendered in black and white with meticulous line work, the piece showcases Solis's attention to detail, suggesting a possibly metallic subject through intricate, curved, and swirling patterns characteristic of Renaissance aesthetics.
History & Provenance
Produced in 1546, the work's history prior to its current residence at The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here, highlighting a need for further provenance research.
Context
Aligned with the Renaissance movement's emphasis on detail and classical motifs, the print reflects the era's artistic values, with the satyrs symbolizing a connection to mythological and natural themes.
Legacy
As a representative of 16th-century printmaking, Covered Cup with Satyrs contributes to the broader understanding of Renaissance art's spread and influence through detailed, thematic works like Solis's.
Artist & collection
Artist
Virgil Solis or Virgilius Solis (1514 – 1 August 1562), a member of a prolific family of artists, was a German draughtsman and printmaker in engraving, etching and woodcut who worked in his native city of Nuremberg.
