Four Engravings of Putti from a set of four tapestries for the Pope (1532)

Description: Master of the Die, Italian, (b c. 1512, fl. 1532-33).

Title: Two Putti Presenting Cups Full of Gold to the God of Riches, from a set of four tapestries for the Pope [after Raphael (Italian 1483-1520) possibly after Giovanni da Udine (Italian, 1487-1564)]

Bartsch 32 ii/II; The Illustrated Bartsch 32 ii/II (state i refers to rare proofs known before letters). From a set of four engravings depicting putti and animals frolicking amid an elaborately garlanded background. According to Bartsch, these four prints were engraved from paintings after which were designed tapestries for the pope. Inscribed in plate lower right: "ANT LAFRERII FORMIS"; inscribed in plate lower left: "RAPHA.VR.IN". Inscribed with the Master of the Die "B" monogram lower right. A strong, rich and brilliant mid-sixteenth century impression, in fine condition with 1/2 inch top and right margins, and 3/8 inch left and bottom margins.

Title: Three Putti Playing with an Ostrich

Bartsch 33 ii/II; The Illustrated Bartsch 33 ii/II (state i refers to rare proofs known before letters). From a set of four engravings depicting putti and animals frolicking amid an elaborately garlanded background. According to Bartsch, these four prints were engraved from paintings after which were designed tapestries for the pope. Inscribed lower left: "RAPHA. UR. IN"; lower right: "ANT. LAFRERII. FORMIS." Inscribed with the Master of the Die "B" monogram lower left. A strong and rich mid-sixteenth century impression in fine condition, with faint collector's notations verso; trimmed to platemark with some thread margins.

Title: Two Putti Mocking a Monkey

Bartsch 34 ii/II; The Illustrated Bartsch 34 ii/II (state i refers to rare proofs known before letters). From a set of four engravings depicting putti and animals frolicking amid an elaborately garlanded background. According to Bartsch, these four prints were engraved from paintings after which were designed tapestries for the pope. Inscribed in plate lower right: "ANT LAFRERII FORMIS"; inscribed in plate lower center: "RAPHA.VR.IN". Inscribed with the Master of the Die "B" monogram lower right. A strong, rich and brilliant mid-sixteenth century impression, in fine condition aside from two wormholes in lower right by feet of putti, with 1/2 inch left and bottom margins, 3/4 inch right margin, and trimmed to image borderline on top.

Title: Two Putti Striking Another Who Is Squeezing a Child

Bartsch 35 ii/II; The Illustrated Bartsch 35 ii/II. From a set of four engravings depicting putti and animals frolicking amid an elaborately garlanded background. According to Bartsch, these four prints were engraved from paintings after which were designed four tapestries for the pope. Inscribed in plate lower left: "RAPHA. UR. IN"; lower right: "ANT. LAFRERII. FORMIS". Inscribed with the Master of the Die "B" monogram lower left. Bearing unidentified watermark along right side. A strong, rich and brilliant mid-sixteenth century impression in fine condition, trimmed within the platemark just beyond the image borderline. Sold as a set of four.