Giorgio Ghisi
Allegorical figure holding a sphere
Artwork Detail
This figure, which also appears in Italian tarocchi (tarot) cards as Primo Mobile, has puzzled people for centuries. Although sometimes called Victory, or Fortune, the former is usually shown holding a palm or wreath, while the latter traditionally stands on a globe rather than holding it. Possibly derived from a similar figure in proximity to a scene of birth depicted by Giulio Romano at Palazzo del Te, in an allegorical sense it would imply that the newborn’s future is in the hands of Fortune. The print bears the mark of Giuseppe Storck (1766-1836), a German dealer who worked out of Milan. (A Connoisseur's Eye: Prints from the Tomory Collection, 2005)
- Title
- Allegorical figure holding a sphere
- Artist/creator
- Production date
- circa 1565
- Medium
- engraving
- Dimensions
- 243 x 136 mm
- Inscription
- 'P M'. signed in plate LL 'GMF'. insc. verso LC brown ink 'G Storck a Milano 1202./In no. 12645.'. insc. verso pencil centre, 'La Victor'/Ghisi/60'.
- Credit line
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Peter Tomory Collection, purchased 2004
- Accession no
- 2004/30/65
- Copyright
- Copyright Expired
- Department
- International Art
- Display status
- Not on display
If you’re interested in reproducing this artwork, you can enquire here.