A Headpiece in the Form of a Fan

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Agostino Carracci’s fanciful ostrich feather headdress engraving could be cut out and mounted on a stiff backing, then secured to a woman’s festive coiffure. The central oval cameo of the virgin huntress Diana offers the wearer one identity; three other ovals could replace it or the smaller scene of a voyeuristic satyr observing bathing nymphs. These alternate cameos include the wiser goddess Minerva, the three Graces dancing, and Minerva and Poseidon. The relatively damaged and scuffed surface of the engraving plate reinforces the idea that the print was meant to be cut out and assembled, and so keeping the margins pristine was unimportant.

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