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Hercules and Antaeus

Ugo da Carpi Italian
ca. 1517–18
Not on view
Ugo da Carpi was one of the most accomplished makers of woodcuts working in Italy in the first half of the sixteenth century. He translated into chiaroscuro prints designs of Raphael, Parmigianino, and others. The present composition had been engraved by Marcantonio Raimondi, the celebrated printmaker active in Rome in the first quarter of the sixteenth century. Carpi used Marcantonio's engraving as his model, faithfully capturing not only the compositional details but also the full range of the print's tonal values. He produced this effect with a sophisticated use of two woodblocks. A key block, inked in black, delineated the composition, then a tone block, inked in greenish blue, provided the middle tone. Areas in the tone block were crisply cut out, allowing the white of the paper to act as highlights.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hercules and Antaeus
  • Artist: Ugo da Carpi (Italian, Carpi ca. 1480–1532 Bologna)
  • Artist: After Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) (Italian, Urbino 1483–1520 Rome)
  • Date: ca. 1517–18
  • Medium: Chiaroscuro woodcut printed from two blocks in green-blue
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 11 15/16 x 8 7/8 in. (30.3 x 22.6 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1922
  • Object Number: 22.67.80
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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The young Saint John the Baptist in the wilderness, Ugo da Carpi Italian, Chiaroscuro woodcut from two blocks in brown
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Resurrection of Christ, Ugo da Carpi Italian, Chiaroscuro woodcut from three blocks in green
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