Two Women and Two Cupids, from "Ex Antiquis Cameorum et Gemmae Delineata/ Liber Secundus/et ab Enea Vico Parmen Incis"

Art Historical Context

This delicate engraving, titled *Two Women and Two Cupids*, comes from the second volume of *Ex Antiquis Cameorum et Gemmae Delineata*, a celebrated series reproducing ancient carved gems and cameos. Published between about 1599 and 1622, the print reflects the collaborative efforts of several artists, including Enea Vico, Battista Franco, and Philippe Thomassin, working from designs associated with 16th-century Italian workshops. Measuring just over three by four inches, the small plate captures the refined lines and subtle modeling typical of engraving, a technique prized for its ability to translate the intricate details of hardstone carvings into widely distributable images. Created during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods, the work embodies the era’s deep fascination with classical antiquity. Collectors and scholars eagerly sought reproductions of Roman and Greek gems, which often depicted mythological scenes. Here, two female nudes accompanied by cupids evoke themes of love and beauty, motifs that resonated strongly in both ancient and Renaissance culture. As the third state of the print, this impression reveals how such plates were continually refined and reissued, extending their influence across Europe. Today housed in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection, it offers modern viewers a window into how Renaissance artists bridged ancient art with contemporary audiences through the power of printmaking.

About the Artist

Francesco Angeloni|Battista Franco|Philippe Thomassin|Enea Vico|Anonymous, Italian, 16th century (Italian|Italian|French|Italian|Italian) · 1559 |1510 |1562 |1523 |1500 –1652 |1561 |1622 |1567 |1600

Terni 1559 or 1587–1652 Rome|Italian, Venice ca. 1510–1561 Venice|French, Troyes 1562–1622 Rome|Italian, Parma 1523–1567 Ferrara|