Two Bacchic Figures with a Cornucopia
Drawing, preparatory design on paper • Circle of Bartholomeus Spranger or follower of Hendrick Goltzius
Style & Movement
Northern Mannerism (Haarlem or Prague school influence)
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with brown wash, heightened with white gouache and traces of black chalk on prepared or toned paper
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th century (circa 1590–1610)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15–20 cm in diameter; Tondo (circular) format
Subject Description
Two mythological figures, likely nymphs or bacchic followers, supporting a decorative cornucopia. The figures exhibit the 'muscular' anatomical exaggeration characteristic of Goltzius and the elongated, elegant poses of Spranger. The tondo format suggests a design for a decorative object, such as a metalwork plate or a stained-glass roundel.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows typical signs of age-related degradation for a 400-year-old works on paper
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely from a 17th or 18th-century collection of Old Master drawings; the circular cut suggests it may have been removed from a larger sheet or an album
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the dissemination of Northern Mannerist styles through print culture. The 'muscular' treatment of the figures indicates the influence of Goltzius’s engraving style, specifically his 'meesterstukken' period where he adapted Spranger’s elegance into a more robust, athletic anatomical style.
Notable Features
Distinctive use of white heightening to create three-dimensional volume; the tondo shape is a strong indicator of its original purpose as a design for a specialized craft like limning or engraving.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (brown spots), minor losses at the paper edges, typical discoloration of lead white highlights (oxidization), and overall yellowing of the paper support.
Conservation Recommendations
Treatment by a professional paper conservator to stabilize foxing and treat oxidized white highlights. Store in acid-free mounts under UV-filtering glazing in a climate-controlled environment.
Collector Notes
Spranger influence but muscular and print derived