Two Female Allegorical Figures with a Cornucopia
Drawing on paper, tondo (circular) format • Circle of Hendrick Goltzius or Manner of Bartholomeus Spranger (Northern Mannerist School)
Style & Movement
Northern Mannerism / International Mannerism
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with brown wash, over black chalk, heightened with white gouache (white hatched heightening) on prepared or aged paper.
Creation Period
Late 16th Century to Early 17th Century (c. 1580–1620)
Dimensions & Format
Circular tondo; estimated diameter approximately 15-20 cm. This was likely a design for a metalwork plaque, glass roundel, or print.
Subject Description
Two partially draped female figures shown in half-length. The figure on the left holds a cornucopia (horn of plenty) overflowing with fruit, suggesting an allegory of Abundance (Ceres) or Peace. The figures exhibit exaggerated, muscular anatomy ('double contour musculature') and twisting 'figura serpentinata' characteristic of the era.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. The paper shows significant aging, yellowing, and minor losses at the circular periphery.
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; stylistic characteristics suggest a Continental European origin, likely from a Dutch or Flemish collection of Old Master drawings.
Art Historical Significance
An excellent example of the highly stylized, 'hyper-muscular' aesthetic popularized by the Haarlem Mannerists. The work demonstrates the influence of Michelangelo and late Italian Renaissance art on Northern European draughtsmanship.
Notable Features
The 'double contour musculature' identifies the work as belonging to the specific Mannerist trend toward anatomical exaggeration. The use of white hatched heightening provides a sculptural, 3D quality common in preparatory designs for engravers.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing/spotting, oxidation of white pigments, minor chipping along the edges, and slight creasing near the top center.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires deacidification treatment by a paper conservator and mounting with acid-free reversible hinges. Use UV-protective museum glass and avoid direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the brown wash.
Collector Notes
Double contour musculature. Prevalent white hatched heightening.