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.

According to Benezit, the Master of the Die is Bernardo Daddi (born c.1512 -1570, not the better known 14th century artist), or “Dado”, which means “die” in Italian, also named Beatricius l’Ancien. Bartsch also mentions the name Beatricius L’Ancien and “Dado” but makes no mention of Bernardo Daddi. Other sources ascribe the name B. Verini as the Master of the Die . His monogram represents a die, often with the letter B inscribed on one of its sides.

The commercial print publisher Antonio Salamanca established his atelier in Rome during the late 1530’s and his successor, Antonio Lafrery, was publishing by 1553.