L'Asinaria (Allegory of Stupidity)

1564

Not on view

The title of this print, L’Asinaria), refers to the comic play by the Roman author Titus Maccius Plautus (c.254–184 B C ). The ruins in the background have been identified as the Forum of Nerva in Rome and the subject interpreted as showing how lack of respect for the arts and sciences constitutes a menace to civilisation. A first state of this print is in the Istituto Centrale per la Grafica, Rome. This print is the second state with additional lettering and the plaque in the upper left of the first state divided in two. See Mark McDonald, The Print Collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo (Ceremonies, Costumes, Portraits and Genre), London 2017, Vol. 1, cat.no.413.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: L'Asinaria (Allegory of Stupidity)
Artist: Michele Lucchese (Italian, active Rome, 1534–64)
Date: 1564
Medium: Engraving
Dimensions: Sheet: 10 1/4 × 17 1/16 in. (26 × 43.3 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2019
Object Number: 2019.323
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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The Crucifixion of Saint Peter, after Michelangelo's frescoes in the Pauline Chapel, Vatican Palace, Michele Lucchese Italian, Etching and engraving — The Crucifixion of Saint Peter, after Michelangelo's frescoes in the Pauline Chapel, Vatican Palace
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After Michelangelo Buonarroti
Publisher Antonio Lafreri
1550–60

Lobster-Tail Burgonet, Steel, leather, gold, North Italian — Lobster-Tail Burgonet
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ca. 1610

Phaeton, from "The Four Disgracers", Hendrick Goltzius Netherlandish, Engraving — Phaeton, from "The Four Disgracers"
Hendrick Goltzius
After Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem
1588

Naval Battle, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae", Michele Lucchese Italian, Etching and engraving — Naval Battle, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae"
Michele Lucchese
After Polidoro da Caravaggio
16th century

Armor, Steel, copper alloy, textile, leather, Italian — Armor
Italian
ca. 1400–1450 and later

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