Marco Dente’s “The Judgement of Paris” after Marcantonio Raimondi

Marco Dente (1515–97)

“The Judgement of Paris” 1515–27 after the engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi (c.1460–before 1534)

Engraving on heavy laid paper

Size: (sheet) 29.8 x 44.5 cm; (plate) 29.3 x 43.7 cm; (image borderline) 29 x 43 cm

State I (of I)

Inscribed with the artist’s signature and date in the image (upper right) and annotated below the borderline: (lower right) "Léo Drouyn inv. et. sculp."; (lower centre) “LES DERNIÈRES FEUILLES”

Bartsch XIV,198,246; Delaborde 114, Copy 1

Condition: exceptionally rich impression of the utmost rarity with minimal margins. The sheet is in exceptionally fine condition (i.e. there are no tears, foxing or stains). The lower- left corner of the margin is lacking but the impression within the platemarks is complete. There is the central fold as published (?) but this fold is flattened and is barely visible. On the verso is a collector's mark in ink there are pencil and notations.

I am selling this large, exceptionally fine and rare engraving for the total cost of AU$435 including free shipping to anywhere in the world. If you are interested in purchasing this original etching, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make your payment easy.

This print has been sold

This detail from Dente’s rare engraving should catch most viewer’s attention as it is virtually the same arrangement of three figures that Manet referenced for his most famous—and historically infamous—painting, “Le déjeuner sur l’herbe” (Luncheon on the Grass). Although Manet appropriated this image through Titian’s appropriation of the same group of figures, Manet and Titian were not alone in their copying. Dente who copied Raimondi’s engraving was actually referencing a much earlier work by Raphael of the same grouping of figures and even Raphael was referencing an even earlier carved relief of the same group on a Roman sarcophagus in the Villa Medici.

Artists have always visually cannibalised the past. From my standpoint, this is not a problem, but hopefully the past is refreshed with current issues and sensitivities.