Two Female Figures with a Cornucopia (Possible allegory of Abundance)
Drawing on paper, circular tondo format • Attributed to the Circle of Hendrik Goltzius or Karel van Mander (Haarlem School)
Style & Movement
Northern Mannerism (Haarlem Mannerism)
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with brown wash, heightened with white opaque watercolor (gouache) on paper
Creation Period
Circa 1580–1585
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 10–15 cm diameter; tondo (circular) format
Subject Description
Two classically draped female figures are depicted in a dynamic, twisting pose (figura serpentinata) typical of Mannerism. One figure holds a large cornucopia filled with fruit or flowers, suggesting an allegorical representation of Abundance or Pomona. The musculature is stylized and exaggerated, reflecting the influence of Bartholomeus Spranger and the aesthetic ideals of the Haarlem Academy.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows typical signs of age-related degradation for a 16th-century work on paper.
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Provenance History
Attributed to Haarlem origin circa 1580-85 based on stylistic analysis and owner notations. Likely passed through European private collections of Old Master drawings.
Art Historical Significance
This work is a significant example of the Haarlem Mannerist style that flourished in the late 16th century under the influence of Goltzius, van Mander, and Cornelisz van Haarlem. It demonstrates the transition from Italian-influenced Mannerism to the Dutch Golden Age, focusing on complex anatomical structures and allegorical themes.
Notable Features
The use of white heightening provides a sculptural quality to the figures. The circular tondo format suggests it may have been a preparatory design for a print, a medal, or a decorative painted glass roundel.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (brown spots), minor Creasing at the edges, some loss of the white heightening due to oxidation, and slight discoloration of the base paper. There is a small tear or nick on the upper right edge.
Conservation Recommendations
Should be mounted using acid-free, archival materials and housed behind UV-protective museum glass. Consult a paper conservator to stabilize foxing and assess the permanence of the white heightening. Avoid direct sunlight.
Collector Notes
Haarlem 1580-85