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The Triumph of Julius Caesar

Intermediary draftsman Bernardo Malpizzi Italian
After Andrea Mantegna Italian
1599
Not on view
The frieze depicts the Triumphs of Julius Caesar after a series of nine paintings created by Andrea Mantegna between 1484 and 1492 for the Gonzaga Ducal Palace in Mantua. The principal subject is a triumphal military parade celebrating the victory of Caesar　in the Gallic Wars (58 BC–51 BC). The print is one of the most ambitious made during the sixteenth century. Printing the complex and detailed scene required up to four separate woodblocks. The first to register the black outlines of the many figures and then separately carved blocks to apply the different shades of colour. The result is beautifully syncopated colour design that approximates the effects of a subtle wash drawing. By any standard, this was an expensive undertaking requiring the skill of a number of people. Andreani and his workshop specialized in this sort of ambitious printmaking that found an eager audience amongst those interested in the revival of classical themes.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Triumph of Julius Caesar
  • Artist: Andrea Andreani (Italian, Mantua 1558/1559–1629)
  • Artist: Intermediary draftsman Bernardo Malpizzi (Italian, ca. 1553–1623)
  • Artist: After Andrea Mantegna (Italian, Isola di Carturo 1430/31–1506 Mantua)
  • Date: 1599
  • Medium: Chiaroscuro woodcut comprising 10 sheets (9 of images and 1 title) from slightly different printings from three and four blocks in black (keyblock) and shades from light brown through gray
  • Dimensions: Framed: 33 7/16 in. × 13 ft. 11 5/16 in. (85 × 425 cm)
    Sheet: 14 3/16 in. × 12 ft. 5 5/8 in. (36 × 380 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of M. Feltenstein, 2017
  • Object Number: 2017.449
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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