Art Institute of Chicago

Orpheus Charming the Animals

Peregrino da Cesena

Date

1490/1510

Medium

Engraving in black, from a niello plate, on ivory laid paper

Culture

Italy

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

As early as the sixth century, Italian silversmiths used an enamel-like, black compound called niello to fill incisions in metal and make their ornamentation visible. Dark backgrounds and pronounced contours are common characteristics of niello plate designs. As paper became more readily available in the 15th century, silversmiths made impressions from the niello plates on sheets to check their progress or record their designs. Growing interest in these small pictures soon led artists to engrave plates for the sole purpose of making prints. Mythological subjects were the most popular niello plates. This print depicts Orpheus, son of the Greek god Apollo, playing music so skillfully that he allures the beasts around him. After the death of his wife, Eurydice, he traveled to the underworld to bring her back. Although he was unsuccessful in his mission, Orpheus became one of a select few who had journeyed to hell and back. For this feat, Dante included Orpheus in the Inferno , among the other ancient poets who reside in limbo.

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