1498
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Allegory of Carnal Love is a 1498 ink by Cristofano Robetta, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows five naked figures in a forest setting. Two men stand in the center, one with his arms raised as if in pain. Three women surround them—one holds a wreath, another clutches a branch, and the third reaches upward. Trees and clouds fill the background, with small cherubs peeking from the top corners. Notice how the artist uses fine lines to show muscle and emotion, almost like sculpting with shadows. The scene feels dramatic but also strangely calm, like a story frozen in time. This is an example of engraving, a technique where artists etch lines into metal plates to create prints.
Cristofano Robetta (1462 – 1535) was an Italian artist, goldsmith, and engraver. Robetta was a Florentine "who made some rich, intricate engravings in the fine manner". He often made engravings which replicated…
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