St. John the Baptist
Artist: Giulio Campagnola (Italian, 1482-1515)
Date: about 1505
Dimensions:
13 1/4 x 9 3/8 in.
Medium: Engraving
Place of Origin: Italy
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Frederick B. and Kate L. Shoemaker Fund
Object number: 1949.31
Label Text:As a teenager, Giulio Campagnola was exceptionally gifted and was praised for his skill as a painter, sculptor, miniaturist, engraver, poet, musician, and singer, as well as for his knowledge of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. All of that promise was not to be fulfilled, but he did become an important figure in Renaissance printmaking. His major contribution was the introduction of stipple engraving, a technique where shading is rendered by dots produced with the point of the burin. This allowed a greater range of tone from white to black. The technique has its disadvantages – it is time consuming and the plates wear down quickly.
In this print (a collaboration) the Venetian artist Giorgione (about 1477–1510) provided the landscape, while Giulio rendered the figure. We see his prominent signature in the upper right while in the lower left we see the name of the publisher and print seller in Venice, Nicolo Nelli.
In this print (a collaboration) the Venetian artist Giorgione (about 1477–1510) provided the landscape, while Giulio rendered the figure. We see his prominent signature in the upper right while in the lower left we see the name of the publisher and print seller in Venice, Nicolo Nelli.
Not on view
In Collection(s)