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Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses

Workshop of the Patanazzi family Italian
Probably after Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) Italian

1584

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 503

This extravagant desk set celebrates the art of poetry while providing a writer with storage for the tools of his craft. The exterior decorations evoke ancient Roman art and honor the divine sources of creativity. Gods and muses perch beside famous poets atop an elaborate confection of drawers and removable containers, including inkwells and a sand-shaker (for drying fresh text). Inside, the compartments are decorated with images denoting their contents, such as scissors and quills.

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses, Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620), Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Urbino

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

Assembled

Assembled

Assembled

details of component f from back

details of component f from front.

component e only

Upper surface of component a

component a only

details of component f from front

one of four sides of component d which have Orpheus playing to animals and musicians

one of four sides of component d which have Orpheus playing to animals and musicians

one of four sides of component d which have Orpheus playing to animals and musicians

one of four sides of component d which have Orpheus playing to animals and musicians

details of component f from front

detail of the inscribed name beneath the drawer (component b);

Title: Inkstand with Apollo and the Muses

Maker: Workshop of the Patanazzi family (Italian, active ca. 1580–1620)

Maker: Probably after Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) (Italian, Urbino 1483–1520 Rome)

Date: 1584

Culture: Italian, Urbino

Medium: Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)

Dimensions: Overall: 19 × 20 1/2 × 14 7/8 in. (48.3 × 52.1 × 37.8 cm)

Classification: Ceramics-Pottery

Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931

Accession Number: 32.100.363a–f

Chronology

Florence and Central Italy, 1400-1600 A.D.

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