Attributed to Perino del Vaga (Piero Buonaccorsi)

Allegorical Figure of Public Felicity

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Catalogue Number:
24

Artist:
Attributed to Perino del Vaga [Piero Buonaccorsi] (1501-1547)

Title:
Allegorical Figure of Public Felicity

Work Type:
Drawing

Date:
c. 1545

Culture:
Italian

Medium:
Brown ink with wash and white heightening on blue laid paper, squared for transfer

Dimensions:
9 7/8 X 6 1/4 in.

Watermark:
Cross on a disk with rays emanating from it

Condition:
Light staining, clean, intact, and stable

Credit Line:
Cornell College, Gift of Robert Sonnenschein II

Accession Year:
1951

Object Number:
1951.24

Commentary:
The Alasko Company attributed the drawing to Andrea Sabatini and tentatively titled the work “Minerva” in 1997.  A better attribution may be the prolific Perino del Vaga.  The allegorical figure carries attributes of Felicity such as the caduceus, along with a rudder for leadership and an eagle for intellect.  The design seems to echo the work at Sala Paolina in the Castel Sant’Angelo and may be compared to the Allegorical Figure of Prudence from the Metropolitan Museum of Art no. 64.179. CMP