ticketsMember | Make a donation

Two Nymphs Carrying a Third

ca. 1547
Not on view
Invited by the French king Francis I (r. 1515–47) along with another Italian artist, Rosso Fiorentino, Primaticcio oversaw the decoration of the royal château of Fontainebleau, created decorative cycles in the Mannerist style, and became the leading proponent of the so-called School of Fontainebleau. The present scene, depicting two nymphs carrying a third to a satyr (partly visible at the left margin) relates to Primaticcio’s stucco decoration of the Appartement des Bains at Fontainebleau, rooms intended for bathing, relaxation, and the display of famous works from the royal collection. The outlines of the composition have been traced with a stylus to transfer the design to an engraver’s plate.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Two Nymphs Carrying a Third
  • Artist: Francesco Primaticcio (Italian, Bologna 1504/5–1570 Paris)
  • Date: ca. 1547
  • Medium: Pen and brown ink, brown wash, traces of white corrections. Black chalk shading probably added by a later hand.
  • Dimensions: 9 1/8 x 11 in. (23.2 x 27.9 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.412
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Three Standing Figures, Francesco Primaticcio Italian, Pen and ink and white gouache, over traces of black chalk, on paper washed gray
Three Standing Figures
Francesco Primaticcio
16th century
Classical Female Figure (Diana or Venus) with Two Infants, Francesco Primaticcio Italian, Pen and brown ink, highlighted with white gouache, over traces of black chalk, stylus and compass construction; traces of squaring in black chalk
Classical Female Figure (Diana or Venus) with Two Infants
Francesco Primaticcio
ca. 1539–42
Vulcan Forging the Darts of Cupid, Francesco Primaticcio Italian, Red chalk, highlighted with white gouache, on brownish paper
Vulcan Forging the Darts of Cupid
Francesco Primaticcio
1552–56
Ulysses and His Companions Fighting the Cicones Before the City of Ismaros, Study for a Destroyed Fresco in the Galerie d'Ulysee, Chateau de Fontainebleau, Francesco Primaticcio Italian, Red chalk highlighted with white gouache, on red-washed paper
Ulysses and His Companions Fighting the Cicones Before the City of Ismaros, Study for a Destroyed Fresco in the Galerie d'Ulysee, Chateau de Fontainebleau
Francesco Primaticcio
1555–60
Apple of Discord Thrown by Eris at the Marriage of Peleus and Thetis: Study for Fresco in the Hall of Henri II at Fountainebleau, Francesco Primaticcio Italian, Red chalk, highlighted with white gouache, on beige paper
Apple of Discord Thrown by Eris at the Marriage of Peleus and Thetis: Study for Fresco in the Hall of Henri II at Fountainebleau
Francesco Primaticcio
1504–70

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.