Two Female Figures with a Cornucopia (Allegory of Abundance)
Drawing on paper, circular tondo format • Northern Mannerist school; likely Circle of Hendrick Goltzius or Bartholomeus Spranger
Style & Movement
Northern Mannerism (Haarlem or Prague school)
Medium & Technique
Iron gall or bistre ink, brown wash, and white heightened gouache/lead white on toned or aged paper. Techniques: Hatching, cross-hatching, and wash for tonal modeling.
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th Century (c. 1580-1620)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 15cm - 20cm diameter; Tondo (circular) format
Subject Description
An allegorical scene featuring two semi-nude female figures. The central figure holds a large cornucopia (horn of plenty) filled with fruit and grains, symbolizing wealth, fertility, or Ceres/Abundance. The figures exhibit the elongated proportions, muscular torsion, and intricate hairstyles characteristic of the Mannerist aesthetic.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Visible edge wear and small losses at the margins consistent with age and historical mounting.
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely originated from a humanist collection or as a preparatory design for a print, medal, or decorative silver plate. No specific labels visible, but the circular trim suggests it was once part of a larger sheet or mounted in a collector's album.
Art Historical Significance
Highly significant as a representative example of the diffusion of Italianate grace into Northern Europe. The dynamic, spiraling 'figura serpentinata' demonstrates the Northern adaptation of Michelangelo and Parmigianino's styles, popularized by the Haarlem Academy.
Notable Features
The sophisticated use of white heightening against the wash creates a sculptural three-dimensionality. The circular format strongly suggests this was a 'modello' for a decorative object, such as a commemorative medal or a limoges enamel plaque.
Condition Issues
Notable foxing and oxidation of white lead highlights (turning slightly grey/brown), minor creasing, peripheral nicks, and paper discoloration due to light exposure and acid in old mounts.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a paper conservator; stabilized de-acidification; mounting with reversible Japanese tissue hinges; UV-protective glazing and climate-controlled environment to prevent further oxidation of the whites.
Collector Notes
Northern