Circe with the companions of Ulysses changed into animals
Details
Bartsch 22; Bellini 60; Blunt E.23.
Description
An excellent, highly contrasting and lively impression with a fine margin around the plate edge. Traditionally, the subject of this etching has been interpreted as an allegory of melancholy, including by Adam Bartsch, but more recently scholars seem to agree that the figure is the sorceress Circe. Although there is no drawing or painting directly related to this print in the artist’s oeuvre, Castiglione repeatedly treated the subject in various media. There is a quick sketch depicting Circe in the Philadelphia Museum of Art (inv. no. 1984-56-39), a drawing in the Royal Collection, Windsor (inv. no. 904067), and a number of paintings, including a version in the Uffizi, Florence. Inscribed with the location in brown ink on the reverse. – Paper somewhat foxmarked. Smoothed vertical creases and remnants of former mounting on the reverse. Minor defects to margins, otherwise in good condition.
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