DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7598#0039
506
ANDREA MANTEGNA.
[chap. vii.
been acquainted with the engraving which I consider as the most
ancient.
The composition represents a motley group of fauns, satyrs, and
children, assembled around a wine-press, and making themselves
merry with the liquor it contains. In the centre, a young faun is
seen, seated on the edge of the tub, in a state of intoxication, and
supported in the arms of a satyr. Behind these figures, on the left,
is another satyr, Avith a jug of wine in his left hand. Further to
the left is a graceful and well drawn figure of a young faun, stand-
ing, who, resting his right hand on a large cornucopia, raises his
left to receive a garland of vine-leaves, which is presented to him by
an aged faun, Avho is supported on the shoulders of a younger one,
near the left border of the print. On the right, a faun is seen,
seated on the edge of the tub, blowing a horn, and another, who
has bells attached to his arms and round his ancles, is represented
drinking. A child appears climbing up the side of the tub, and two
others are lying asleep on the ground below. A fourth child is
seen standing at the left border of the print, and, in the back-ground,
a little to the right, is a tree loaded with apples and the fruit of a
vine which is twisted around its branches. To this tree is attached
a tablet, without any mark or inscription. This piece measures
seventeen inches and a half in width, by about twelve inches in
height. (Bartsch, No. 19.)
To a person conversant in ancient prints, the general remarks
already given will be sufficient to enable him to distinguish readily
between Mantegna's two engravings of the above composition. An
attention to the following small variations will enable others to do
the same. In the print which I consider the most ancient, three of
the fingers of the left hand of the faun who is sitting intoxicated on
the edge of the tub, viz. the fore-finger, the middle finger, and the
third finger, will be found nearly of the same length; but in the
more finished print, the artist has lengthened the middle finger, and
shortened the third finger; thereby giving to the hand a more
agreeable form. At the bottom of the tub, the upper of the two
ANDREA MANTEGNA.
[chap. vii.
been acquainted with the engraving which I consider as the most
ancient.
The composition represents a motley group of fauns, satyrs, and
children, assembled around a wine-press, and making themselves
merry with the liquor it contains. In the centre, a young faun is
seen, seated on the edge of the tub, in a state of intoxication, and
supported in the arms of a satyr. Behind these figures, on the left,
is another satyr, Avith a jug of wine in his left hand. Further to
the left is a graceful and well drawn figure of a young faun, stand-
ing, who, resting his right hand on a large cornucopia, raises his
left to receive a garland of vine-leaves, which is presented to him by
an aged faun, Avho is supported on the shoulders of a younger one,
near the left border of the print. On the right, a faun is seen,
seated on the edge of the tub, blowing a horn, and another, who
has bells attached to his arms and round his ancles, is represented
drinking. A child appears climbing up the side of the tub, and two
others are lying asleep on the ground below. A fourth child is
seen standing at the left border of the print, and, in the back-ground,
a little to the right, is a tree loaded with apples and the fruit of a
vine which is twisted around its branches. To this tree is attached
a tablet, without any mark or inscription. This piece measures
seventeen inches and a half in width, by about twelve inches in
height. (Bartsch, No. 19.)
To a person conversant in ancient prints, the general remarks
already given will be sufficient to enable him to distinguish readily
between Mantegna's two engravings of the above composition. An
attention to the following small variations will enable others to do
the same. In the print which I consider the most ancient, three of
the fingers of the left hand of the faun who is sitting intoxicated on
the edge of the tub, viz. the fore-finger, the middle finger, and the
third finger, will be found nearly of the same length; but in the
more finished print, the artist has lengthened the middle finger, and
shortened the third finger; thereby giving to the hand a more
agreeable form. At the bottom of the tub, the upper of the two