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Sleeping Cupid

Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola) (Italian, 1503–1540)
Based on: Marcantonio Raimondi (Italian, 1480–1527/34)
Based on: Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) (Italian, 1483–1520)
About 1524–27

Medium/Technique Etching and engraving
Dimensions Sheet: 7.1 x 11.1 cm (2 13/16 x 4 3/8 in.)(trimmed on or slightly within the platemark)
Credit Line Bequest of W. G. Russell Allen
Accession Number1973.241
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Bartsch 11 [second state, with additional foliage in background]
DescriptionNot only is [Sleeping Cupid] very conservative and engraving-like in handling, but it is also based directly, almost line for line, on the figure of a dead infant in Marcantonio Raimondi's engraving The Massacre of the Innocents. Based on a Raphael design, Marcantonio's print is a particularly crisp example of classic, traditional burin work.
Marks Verso, center, stamped in brown ink, the mark of the MFA (Lugt 282)
ProvenanceW.G. Russell Allen, Boston (1882-1955); his bequest to the MFA May 9, 1973