GHISI, Giorgio, attributed to (1520-82):

Jupiter and Antiope, or Allegory on the Fertility of the Earth , after Francesco Primaticcio

Engraving, ca. 1560’s. Bartsch 52; Bellini 5, second state; Lewis, Lewis and Boorsch A2, second state, with the inscription lower left. In the shaded area lower right the initials “M.D.” are clearly visible, which they are not generally, in the second state. In L, L & B they are interpreted as Ghisi’s monogram in reverse, though they acknowledge this is outside the norm in his work. R.E. Lewis accepted the work as by Ghisi (as did Bartsch), while Boorsch found the style slightly freer than his work of this date.

A fine, rich impression, trimmed on the platemark top and bottom (greater than L, L & B’s height) but without the margins and up to the subject or slightly within on the sides. A small repaired hole at the lower left subject edge, three pin-holes and a couple of nicks at the right edge, a slight white film on the still life at lower right, remains of hinges and a soft crease on the verso, otherwise in very good condition. 171 x 286mm.
$2,500

Primaticcio’s drawing is in the Albertina. Antonio Fantuzzi made an etching after it, in the same direction as the above print, Jenkins AF71.
The block in the middle of each print makes it clear the design is part of an architectural element, or, as Jenkins suggests, a room with a beamed ceiling.