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| attributed to Cherubino Alberti Sarcophagus frieze with Rape of Leucippids 16th century drawing British Museum |
The drawing above, possibly by Cherubino Alberti, is a study of the figures carved onto the side of a Roman sarcophagus now in Florence at the Uffizi. The central pair of figures from that drawing is reflected (reversed) in the engraving by Cherubino below – from a series of mythological roundels made after models left by Polidoro da Caravaggio (1492-1543).
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| Cherubino Alberti after Polidoro da Caravaggio Pluto abducting Proserpine 1590 engraving British Museum |
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| Cherubino Alberti after Polidoro da Caravaggio Mercury beheading Argus 1590 engraving British Museum |
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| Cherubino Alberti after Polidoro da Caravaggio Neptune rising from the waters 1590 engraving British Museum |
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| Cherubino Alberti after Polidoro da Caravaggio Bacchanal with Satyrs caressing young Bacchus 1590 engraving British Museum |
Another such series, but in a horizontal frieze-like format, used banner-sized lettering inside a conspicuous frame to proclaim Polidoro's authorship of the designs.One factor that partly accounts for Polidoro's potent influence over other Roman artists was the wide distribution in the 16th century of his fresco-decorations on the exterior walls of Roman palaces. The originals had all disappeared under the attrition of natural forces before even a century had elapsed, but their appearance is extensively preserved in the work of others.
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| Cherubino Alberti after Polidoro da Caravaggio Assembly of the Muses and Poets on Mount Parnassus 16th century engraving British Museum |
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| Cherubino Alberti after Polidoro da Caravaggio Rape of the Sabines by the companions of Romulus 16th century engraving British Museum |
Cherubino Alberti (1553-1615), primarily an engraver, based his compositions on the work of others more often than not. The prints below, without overt models, are from a series with heraldic figures flourishing ornamental trumpets while supporting globes bearing the arms of the Medici.
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| Cherubino Alberti Woman with Medici arms on a globe 16th century engraving British Museum |
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| Cherubino Alberti Angel with Medici arms on a globe 16th century engraving British Museum |
In addition to his tributes to Polidoro, Cherubino Alberti (along with everyone else) was eager to celebrate Michelangelo's achievement. In the print immediately below he took one of the famous late Michelangelo Pietà sculptures and set it in a landscape, as if the carved marble block were positioned outside the actual tomb where Christ was interred.
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| Cherubino Alberti after Michelangelo Pietà Statue in a landscape 16th century engraving British Museum |
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| Cherubino Alberti after Michelangelo Ignudo supporting a garland 16th century engraving British Museum |
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| Cherubino Alberti after Michelangelo Figure of a soldier retreating 16th century engraving British Museum |
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| Cherubino Alberti after Michelangelo Damned soul forced down 16th century engraving British Museum |
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| Cherubino Alberti after Michelangelo Demons 16th century engraving British Museum |
I am grateful to the British Museum for making these images available.