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Diogenes seated with his barrel behind him, and reading a book while holding a stick that rests on a geometry book to his right

ca. 1526–27
Not on view
This engraving of the Greek philosopher Diogenes follows a design by Parmigianino. In contrast to The Marriage of the Virgin it is striking how little of the copper plate Caraglio left unworked, using controlled tonal differences to achieve a highly nuanced chiaroscuro palette. This change may have been due to greater involvement by Parmigianino himself, who likely created his preparatory drawing with a print in mind. The painter actively thought about the translation of tonality in this design as is suggested by his decision to also have the drawing reproduced in a chiaroscuro woodcut by Ugo da Carpi (Italian, ca. 1480–1532) in Bologna, not long after Caraglio made this engraving.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Diogenes seated with his barrel behind him, and reading a book while holding a stick that rests on a geometry book to his right
  • Artist: Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio (Italian, Parma or Verona ca. 1500/1505–1565 Krakow (?))
  • Artist: After Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola) (Italian, Parma 1503–1540 Casalmaggiore)
  • Date: ca. 1526–27
  • Medium: Engraving
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 11 1/4 × 8 9/16 in. (28.6 × 21.7 cm) trimmed within platemark
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.3.3416
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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