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Poetry (Poesia XXVII)

ca. 1465–67
Not on view
The fifty engravings of the so-called Tarocchi di Mantegna were not designed by the Mantuan artist Andrea Mantegna and do not form a true tarot deck, for they lack suits, number cards, and face cards. Possibly intended as a didactic game or booklet, the series of images illustrates the hierarchy of the universe, from the lowly beggar to the celestial spheres.
After the ten prints representing the states of man and those of the nine Muses with their leader, Apollo—mediators between humanity and knowledge—come the ten that depict personifications of the arts and sciences. The seven traditional liberal arts have been augmented by poetry, philosophy, and theology. Poetry is shown seated in front of Parnassus, playing the flute—symbol of eloquence—as she irrigates the earth with the inspirational waters of the Castalian spring.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Poetry (Poesia XXVII)
  • Artist: Master of the E-Series Tarocchi (Italian, active Ferrara, 1460's)
  • Date: ca. 1465–67
  • Medium: Engraving with gold hand coloring
  • Dimensions: Sheet (Trimmed): 6 1/2 × 3 9/16 in. (16.5 × 9 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
  • Object Number: 59.570.32
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Genius of the World (Cosmico XXXIII)
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Euterpe (Euterpe XVIII), Master of the E-Series Tarocchi Italian, Engraving
Euterpe (Euterpe XVIII)
Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
ca. 1465–67
Geometry (Geometria XXIIII), Master of the E-Series Tarocchi Italian, Engraving
Geometry (Geometria XXIIII)
Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
1460–70
Genius of the Sun (Iliaco)
Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
1460–70
The Merchant
Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
1460–70

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