Apotheosis of the Mythological Gods (Fall of the Giants)

Artist Monogrammist MGf, possibly Michelangelo Guide or Michele Greco da Lucca Italian, late 16th century

ArtistAfter a painting by Guglielmo della Porta Italian, active by 1534, d. 1577

ArtistPreviously ascribed to Matthäus (Matthaeus) Greuter German, 1564 - 1638

MakerPublished by Carlo Losi Italian, active 1773

Date1773 (restrike of engraving ca. 1581-86)

MediumEngraving on wove paper

DimensionsSheet: 8 3/8 x 14 in. (21.3 x 35.6 cm)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGift in memory of Leon H. and Marie Buttlar Sparling by their family

Object number2008.20.7

On View

Not on view

Collections

Works on Paper

Signed"·M·G·F·" with all three letters block printed in uppper case and engraved in the plate bottom center of the central oval image. About this monogram, the British Museum database record for their example of the original edition of this engraving, (1861,0713.1211), [http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=1439209&partid=1&searchText=Greuter&numpages=10&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx&currentPage=1"] states that it is "One of a number of engravings mostly after designs by Italian painters and dated around 1581 to 1586 which are traditionally attributed to Greuter on the basis of the monogram. Acc. to Hollstein this is highly improbable in view of Greuter's other works of this time. The monogram may stand for Michelangelo Guidi or Michele Greco da Lucca. See Hollstein, p.108." The BM records the monogram as "Signed 'M G f' in the plate." (copy in file) The remnant of an engraved notation in the lower left outside the image border is now largely absent because the sheet was trimmed some time after it was printed. What remains is in the same place and looks very much like the publisher notations made when the plate was reprinted in 1773, an example of which is illustrated in the British Museum database for object number 1861,0713.1212 and is recorded as "Inscribed 'In Roma presso Carlo Losi l'anno 1773', lower left. " (copy in file)

Inscribed"15" in modern pencil on the reverse, lower right. Typed label, apparently cut from an old mat, is mounted inside the new mat and reads "original copper engraving/Matthaus Greuter/(born 1564 in France, died 1638 in Rome). "Apotheosis of the Mythological Gods" modern, printed in pencil on the lower edge, inside mat.

Markings"KM" in a small, circular, purple stamp on the reverse, lower right.

DescriptionOval central image area set in a rectangular shadowbox-like bricked surround. Oval filled with mythological gods and goddesses in the upper section or heaven, replete with clouds and sun. The lower section of the image populated with male figures wrecked on a rocky pile, most prone, some crushed by stones, many appearing to be deceased with others curled up and attempting to protect themselves. Two figures attempt to raise a ladder and move a stone.

At the left below the borderline some printing has been cut off. (See "Signed" field for further information)
Exhibition History"Old Master Prints from the Sparling Family Collection", Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, February 28 - May 24, 2009.ProvenanceBefore 1938, New York, NY, William Randolph Hearst (according to Richard Helbig)
By 1941, New York, NY, Gimbels Department Store (according to Richard Helbig)
New York, NY, Richard Helbig
2006, Houston, TX, Tobin Sparling
2008, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust