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Panel of ornament with a bird-cage in the centre

ca. 1500–1510
Not on view
Nicoletto da Modena employs an engraving technique and a type of grotesque ornament that suggest this work was executed during his first trip to Rome. During his visit, he toured the newly unearthed Golden House of Nero, which at the time was the primary source for the study of this type of antique decoration. His composition, as in many of his prints, is arranged as a narrow panel and is almost completely symmetrical. Filled with mythical and historical figures, vegetal forms, medallions, armor, hybrid creatures, and birds, this sheet seems to be related to the theme of war. A small battle ensues above the central caged bird who is carried on the wings of a Genius, or demi-god, who may represent Fame.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Panel of ornament with a bird-cage in the centre
  • Artist: Nicoletto da Modena (Italian, Modena, active ca. 1500–ca. 1520)
  • Date: ca. 1500–1510
  • Medium: Engraving
  • Dimensions: sheet: 10 7/16 x 5 1/8 in. (26.5 x 13 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1921
  • Object Number: 21.30.1
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
Victory or Minerva, helmet on the groud to the right, Nicoletto da Modena Italian, Engraving
Victory or Minerva, helmet on the groud to the right
Attributed to Nicoletto da Modena
ca. 1500–10
Lobster-Tail Burgonet, Steel, leather, gold, North Italian
Lobster-Tail Burgonet
North Italian
ca. 1610
Phaeton, from "The Four Disgracers", Hendrick Goltzius Netherlandish, Engraving
Phaeton, from "The Four Disgracers"
Hendrick Goltzius
After Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem
1588
The Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds, Nicoletto da Modena Italian, Engraving
The Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds
Nicoletto da Modena
early 16th century
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head, Steel, copper, gold, glass, pigment, textile, Italian
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head
Italian
ca. 1475–80

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