Accession Number
1970/2.18

Title
Jupiter and Io

Artist(s)
Enea Salmeggia (Il Tapino)

Object Creation Date
circa 1558-1626

Medium & Support
pen and ink with dark brown wash, heightened with white on paper

Dimensions
9 ⅛ in x 7 ¾ in (23.18 cm x 19.68 cm);19 3/10 in x 14 3/10 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);12 ⅝ in x 11 ¼ in (32.07 cm x 28.58 cm)

Credit Line
Gift through the Estate of Edward Sonnenschein

Label copy
Cupid's smiling nod to the viewer and his gesture toward Jupiter's amorous conquest of the mortal Io lend a note of humor to this passionate scene. The strong modeling of their heavy-set bodies gives them a ponderous presence. The technique of this drawing, with heavily applied wash, strong highlights, and pen-drawn hatching and cross-hatching, recalls the effect of a chiaroscuro woodcut, printed with multiple blocks and colors to give the effect of light and shade. Since Talpino himself does not seem to have made such prints, this drawing may copy one.

Primary Object Classification
Drawing

Collection Area
Western

Rights
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Keywords
Io
Jupiter
cupids
males
reclining
winged