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Giovan Pietro Birago

Nereid Ridden by Two Children, plate six of Twelve Ornament Panels

1505/15
Engraving on grayish ivory laid paper
55 × 8.9 cm (21.7 × 3.5 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This engraving comes from a series of columnar panels based on architectural sculpture from the 14th century. The set of 12 could be cut out and used as wall decorations or framing devices. The many mythological creatures in this series, such as the Triton and Nereid, exemplify the grotesque decorative style that was popular at the time. Palaces, tombs, and villas in this style were unearthed around Rome and Naples, especially the Emperor Nero’s Domus Aurea palace, which had ancient wall paintings intact. Many Italian Renaissance artists were interested in renewing this ancient style and copied it frequently.

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