Two Female Figures with a Cornucopia (Possible allegory of Abundance)
Drawing on paper, circular format (tondo) • Circle of Bartholomeus Spranger or Northern Mannerist School (possibly Rudolfine court)
Style & Movement
International Mannerism (Northern Mannerism)
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with brown wash, heightened with white gouache (biacca) on tinted or aged paper
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th century (c. 1585–1610)
Dimensions & Format
Small to medium scale tondo; estimated diameter between 15cm and 25cm
Subject Description
Two classically draped female figures shown in dynamic, twisting poses (figura serpentinata) engaged with a large cornucopia filled with fruit. The composition emphasizes elegant muscularity and stylized hair, common in Prague's Rudolfine circles.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows typical signs of age-related degradation
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of a private European collection or artist's portfolio; no visible collector stamps or inscriptions are present on the recto
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the spread of Spranger’s influential 'heroic' Mannerism, illustrating the dissemination of the Prague court style to greater Europe through prints and drawings.
Notable Features
Exhibits the characteristic elongated fingers and 'muscular grace' synonymous with Bartholomeus Spranger's influence; the tondo format suggests it may have been a design for a decorative medal, platter, or architectural detail.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (brown spots), minor marginal tears/nicks at 1 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, paper yellowing, and fading of the white heightening due to oxidation.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires stabilization by a paper conservator, de-acidification if necessary, and mounting with acid-free materials under UV-protective museum glass.
Collector Notes
Spranger influence