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Marcantonio Raimondi, Italian 1475/80-1527/34, "A Triton Carrying a Nereid", ca. 1500 engravin…
A Triton Carrying a Nereid
Marcantonio Raimondi, Italian 1475/80-1527/34, "A Triton Carrying a Nereid", ca. 1500 engraving on laid paper, 5 1/2 x 6 3/4 in (sheet), The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, New York, Gift in memory of Leon H. and Marie Sparling by their family

A Triton Carrying a Nereid

Artist Marcantonio Raimondi Italian, 1475/80 - 1527/34
Dateca. 1500
MediumEngraving on laid paper
DimensionsSheet: 5 1/2 x 6 3/4 in. (14 x 17.1 cm)
Plate mark: 5 3/8 x 6 11/16 in.
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift in memory of Leon H. and Marie Buttlar Sparling by their family
Object number2008.20.1
On View
Not on view
Collections
  • Works on Paper
InscribedThree notations on the lower edge of the reverse of the print: at the lower left in brown ink the number "120" preceded by a symbol that may be a letter J; at the center in pencil _(?)PG17735; at the lower right in brown ink, a large script "N" followed by "514"
MarkingsLarge watermark that appears to be a cross-bow in a circle (appraiser Armin Kunz notes that this "bow and arrow in a circle," like the anchor mark on 2008.20.5, is a typical Italian watermark.
DescriptionTwo figures floating on a body of water. On the right the upper body of a male sea monster or triton. He is bearded and mustachioed. At the side of his head are leafy projections that may represent gills. He holds a small cymbal in each hand. At his waist is skirt of acanthus leaves below which are fins or flippers projecting forward. Behind him extends a long spiraling lower body and tail. A nereid sits to the left of the triton's upper half, on the mid-section of his lower body. The nude female figure has billowing drapery and sits with her back to the viewer and her head in profile to the right. She is pointing up and to the right with her left hand. Her right hand rests on the triton's lower body.

A hilly landscape is sketched in the background.

The typical attribute of a triton is a large seasheall such as a conch, which he blows to calm or stir up the waves at the command of Poseidon. The presence of cymbals in this image appears to relate to the description of tritons as aquatic versions of satyrs. Satyrs and fauns are often depicted with cymbals, pipes, lyres etc.Exhibition History"Old Master Prints from the Sparling Family Collection", Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, February 28 - May 24, 2009.ProvenanceNew York, NY, C. & J. Goodfriend (print dealers)
2006, Houston, TX, Tobin Sparling
2008, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust