Engraver: Anonymous, possibly Nicolas Béatrizet (French, 1510/15–1565/77)
First publisher: Antoine Lafréri (French, c.1512–1577) — plate dated 1552
Later publisher: Hendrick [Henricus] van Schoel (Dutch, c.1565–1622)
Series/Portfolio: Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae (Mirror of Roman Magnificence)
Place/Date: Rome; engraved 1552, this impression early 17th century (van Schoel edition)
Medium: Burin engraving on laid paper; backed; trimmed close but within platemark
Dimensions: Sheet 265 × 349 mm; borderline 255 × 324 mm (measured at centre)
State: Second state, with dual imprints of Lafreri and Van Schoel. The earliest state bears the Lafréri imprint alone
Inscriptions (engraved on pedestal):
– Centre: LVPAE ROMVLVM ET REMVM VRBIS CONDITORES LACTANTIS | ANTIQVVM AC AENEVM IN CAPITOLIO SIGNVM (The ancient bronze statue on the Capitoline of the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, founders of the city)
– Below: ANT. LAFRERI FORMIS ROMAE M.D.LII (From the workshop of Antonio Lafreri, Rome, 1552)
– Bottom:Henricus Van Schoel. excudit (Published by Hendrick van Schoel)
Description: The Capitoline Wolf engraved as an antiquarian plate: the wolf stands on a moulded pedestal suckling the twins Romulus and Remus. A Latin caption across the base identifies the bronze, with imprints of both Lafreri (1552) and Van Schoel (c.1600–1620)
References:
– British Museum 1947,0319.26.1 Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae — Ancient bronze statue of the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. 1552. Attributed to: Nicolas Beatrizet; Height: 260 mm; Width: 340 mm.
– Metropolitan Museum of Art 41.72(2.99): Romulus and Remus, from the Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae; publisher Antonio Lafreri; date 1552; plate 260 × 345 mm; sheet 350 × 480 mm. From the museum’s 3-volume Speculum set, originally vol. 2, plate 99.
– Chicago University: (C835) Capitoline Wolf with Romulus and Remus; Inscription: Lupae Romulum et Remum lactantis imago Romae in Capitolio; size: 132 x 222 mm, sheet trimmed to plate mark; Publication Date: [ca. 1614] (though dated 1584) or [1621]. – printed from a different plate carved after Lafréri for Andrea Vaccari & Goert van Schayck edition of Antiquarum statuarum urbis Romae, quae in publicis privatisque locis visuntur icones.
Watermarks: Typical of northern/Netherlandish papers used in Rome c.1600–1630
– Left: single letter “W” with ball terminals (countermark)
– Right: crown surmounted by a six-pointed star
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Additional Information
| Collection | European prints and drawings |
|---|---|
| Type / Purpose | |
| Period | 17 AD , Early 17th century |
| Country | Italy |
| Media/Technique | Burin , Copperplate engraving , Engraving , Laid paper , Paper |
| Genre | Classical antiquities |
| Subject | 16th century , 17th century , Capitoline Hill , Capitoline Wolf , Engraving , Europe , Foundation of Rome (legend) , Italian art , Italy , Legends , Roman Architecture , Roman antiquities , Rome (city) , Romulus and Remus , Sculpture , Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae |
| Creation / Publishing year | Unknown |
| Impression/State | Later state/impression |
| Acquisition year | 2025 |
