Two Female Figures with a Cornucopia
Old Master Drawing on paper • Attributed to the Circle of Perino del Vaga or Polidoro da Caravaggio (Late Italian Mannerism)
Style & Movement
Mannerism (Maniera)
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with brown wash, heightened with white lead (biacca) over traces of black chalk or graphite on tinted paper
Creation Period
Late 16th Century (c. 1560-1590)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15-20 cm in diameter; Oval (Tondo) format
Subject Description
A classical allegorical scene featuring two semi-draped female figures positioned around a central cornucopia filled with fruit and vegetation. The composition exhibits characteristic Mannerist elongations and complex 'figura serpentinata' poses. The figures likely represent Abundance (Abundantia) or the Hours (Horae).
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; significant aging and oxidation consistent with 16th-century works on paper
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely originated from a private collection or a 'disegni' album; circular format suggests it may have been a preparatory design for a decorative ceiling fresco, majolica plate, or metalwork medallion.
Art Historical Significance
Highly significant as a representative example of late Renaissance draftsmanship. It reflects the influence of Raphael's workshop (the school of Perino del Vaga) in the dissemination of the 'Grotesque' and ornamental style across Italy and France (Fontainebleau).
Notable Features
Masterful use of white lead heightening to create three-dimensional volume; the tondo shape indicates a specific architectural or decorative purpose; high-quality cross-hatching in the shadows.
Condition Issues
Visible oxidation of white lead heightening (turning grey/black), minor foxing, peripheral edge wear including small losses at the 2 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, and general yellowing of the paper substrate.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional stabilization by a paper conservator to address acidity; archival mounting using acid-free materials; UV-filtering glass; and display in a climate-controlled environment with low light (below 50 lux).
Collector Notes
Mannerist