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Nude Figures. (From Galeria nel Palazzo Farnese . . . )

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Nude Figures. (From Galeria nel Palazzo Farnese . . . )

Artist Carlo Cesio (Italian, ca. 1622-ca. 1682)
Dateabout 1675
Dimensions9 1/2 x 17 7/8 in.
MediumEtching and Engraving
ClassificationPrints
Credit LineGift of Irving E. Macomber
Object number
1964.28
Not on View
Label TextAurora, goddess of the dawn, aggressively embraces the protesting Cephalus as he twists his nude body away. The horse drawn chariot of the sun appears to have been halted by the ardent goddess. Cephalus’s hunting hound, a large, strong mastiff-like dog, rests in the foreground and gazes up at the struggling couple, somewhat bored by the scene. Cupid, with a resigned look on his face, flies away carrying a platter of flowers. According to Hesiod’s Theogony, Aurora carried Cephalus away to Mount Olympus.Cephalus was the son of the god Hermes and the mortal woman Herse, daughter of the king of Athens. Strong curving and cross-hatched engraved lines create volume and value in this strongly lit scene.Published ReferencesBartsch XXXI, nos. 59, 61, 63

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