Two Female Figures (Possibly Muses or Allegorical Figures with a Cornucopia)
Old Master Drawing, Roundel Format • Circle of Hendrick Goltzius or Bartholomeus Spranger (Northern Mannerist School)
Style & Movement
Northern Mannerism
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with brown wash and white heightened chalk/gouache on toned paper
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th century (circa 1580-1610)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15-20 cm in diameter; circular (tondo) format
Subject Description
Two mythological or allegorical female figures in a tondo composition; the figure on the left holds a cornucopia overflowing with fruit, suggesting an allegory of Abundance (Abundantia) or Summer. The elongated limbs, muscular but graceful anatomy, and stylized hair are characteristic of the Rudolfine court style.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; typical aging for a 400-year-old work on paper
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000
Provenance History
Likely from a European private collection; the circular format suggests it may have been a preparatory design for a stained-glass medallion or a decorative metalwork plate.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the Haarlem or Prague Mannerist style. It demonstrates the influence of Italian late Renaissance muscularity filtered through the graphic virtuosity of Northern artists like Goltzius.
Notable Features
Dynamic hatching and cross-hatching to define volume; the 'sprung' poses of the figures are a hallmark of the Mannerist aesthetic.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (brown spots), minor edge wear/nicks, some oxidation of the white heightening, and slight discoloration of the primary paper support.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires UV-protective glazing and acid-free mounting. Consultation with a paper conservator is recommended to stabilize foxing and prevent further acidification.
Collector Notes
Northern