Allegorical thesis print with various figures, set in an architectural structure

1608

Not on view

A classicizing architectural monument acts as a stage for eight allegorical characters placed to either side of the church doctor and theologian Thomas Aquinas, who appears in the niche at center. The coat of arms indicates that this print was used at a thesis defense dedicated to the Roman cardinal Giambattista Leni (1573–1627). Allegorical figures were well suited to thesis prints, as they presented students the challenge of identifying them via their attributes. The figures likely represent four virtues and four vices, but only Peace (far right), who stands on a flaming heart, is unequivocally identifiable. Indeed, the print’s iconographic ambiguities allowed it to be used with texts for at least two different thesis defenses.

Artwork Details

Title: Allegorical thesis print with various figures, set in an architectural structure
Artist: Philippe Thomassin (French, Troyes 1562–1622 Rome)
Artist: After Francesco Nappi (Italian, Milan ca. 1565–1630 Rome)
Date: 1608
Medium: Engraving
Dimensions: Sheet (Trimmed): 13 1/4 × 17 11/16 in. (33.6 × 44.9 cm)
Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1951
Object Number: 51.501.4833
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Philippe Thomassin

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

The Entombment, Philippe Thomassin French, Engraving — The Entombment
Philippe Thomassin
Federico Barocci
1589

The Virgin in glory standing on a cloud surrounded by her attributes, after Barocci

Multiple artists/makers

1591

Design for an Ornamental Bowl with the Battle of the Triton and the arms of Joannes Vitiello

Multiple artists/makers

ca. 1617–19

Allegory of the Immaculate Conception, with Adam, Eve, kings, priest, soldier and Moses tied at the bottom of a fig tree, and the Virgin sitting on cloud overhead, surrounded by angels, Philippe Thomassin French, Engraving — Allegory of the Immaculate Conception, with Adam, Eve, kings, priest, soldier and Moses tied at the bottom of a fig tree, and the Virgin sitting on cloud overhead, surrounded by angels
Multiple artists/makers
1611–12

Dance of the Muses, with Apollo at center and a musician at each end

Philippe Thomassin

Baldassarre Tommaso Peruzzi

1615

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.