Three Muses and a Gesturing Putto
1564
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1564
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Three Muses and a Gesturing Putto is a 1564 ink by Giorgio Ghisi, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows three women sitting closely together, looking at a book one of them holds. Their robes drape loosely, and their hair is styled in soft curls. Above them floats a chubby, winged child—like a baby cherub—reaching toward the women with one hand. The women’s faces are calm, almost serious, while the cherub’s pose feels playful. The artist used fine lines to build up shadows and textures, especially in the fabric folds. Check out engraving to see how artists like this carved detailed images into metal plates.
