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

After Francesco Nappi Italian
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

Object Information
  • 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

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