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Copyright
All Rights Reserved ()

Serpent Speaking to a Young Man

Accession Number
2013/2.576

Title
Serpent Speaking to a Young Man

Artist(s)
Marcantonio Raimondi

Artist Nationality
Italian (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1505

Medium & Support
engraving on laid paper

Dimensions
10 3/8 in x 8 3/8 in (26.35 cm x 21.27 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink

Label copy
Marcantonio Raimondi
Italy, ca. 1480–ca. 1534
Serpent Speaking to a Young Man
ca. 1505
Engraving on laid paper
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink, 2013/2.576

Subject matter
This enigmatic engraving has not been definitively interpreted. It appears that the two young men on either side of the composition are responding to the words of the serpent; one runs away in fear, the other, sitting beneath an apple tree, sinks his head into his hand in despair. At the center of the composition is a woman with a lute who observes the scene more neutrally, and may be an allegorical figure representing lust or libido. Each of the figures is inspired by ancient classical sculptures.  The fortified city in the background recalls works by northern renaissance artists.  As a whole, the composition demonstrates Raimondi's attempt to synthesize disparate sources.  

Physical Description
An engraving depicting a man sitting below an apple tree and conversing with a human-headed serpent. He is observed by a woman in drapery and a man who appears to be running away. In the distance there is a large fortified city.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
black and white print

Collection Area
Western

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
allegory (artistic device)
apple (fruit)
fortified settlements
landscapes (environments)
lutes (chordophones)

3 Related Resources

Medieval European Monsters and Devils
(Part of 5 Learning Collections)
Monsters
(Part of 4 Learning Collections)

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved