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Diogenes, c. 1524-1527. Creator: Ugo da Carpi (Italian, c. 1479-c. 1532)
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Diogenes, c. 1524-1527. Creator: Ugo da Carpi (Italian, c. 1479-c. 1532)
Diogenes, c. 1524-1527. Diogenes was a Greek philosopher who lived during the 300s BC. The bird in the background alludes to his cynical response to Plato, who had described man as a featherless biped. Diogenes plucked a rooster and brought it to Platos school, exclaiming, " Here is Platos man!" Ugo da Carpi was influential in the development of the chiaroscuro woodcut in Italy. The term chiaroscuro combines the Italian words chiaro (light) and scuro (dark). Invented to emulate drawings with light and dark pigments on tinted paper, the printing technique uses multiple woodblocks to layer different tones of colour. This example, considered a masterpiece of Renaissance printmaking, uses four shades of green; the paper provides the lightest colour in the composition
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Media ID 19623489
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After Chiaroscuro Woodcut Ugo Da Carpi
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This print showcases Ugo da Carpi's masterpiece, "Diogenes" created between 1524 and 1527. The artwork depicts the renowned Greek philosopher Diogenes, who lived during the 300s BC. In a clever nod to his cynicism, the presence of a bird in the background alludes to an incident where Diogenes challenged Plato's definition of man as a featherless biped. By plucking a rooster and presenting it at Plato's school, he humorously proclaimed, "Here is Plato's man!". Ugo da Carpi was instrumental in advancing the chiaroscuro woodcut technique in Italy during this period. Chiaroscuro combines light (chiaro) and dark (scuro) elements to emulate drawings with varying tones on tinted paper. This particular print utilizes four shades of green expertly layered through multiple woodblocks. Considered one of Renaissance printmaking's masterpieces, this artwork exemplifies Ugo da Carpi's skillful craftsmanship and artistic vision. The composition predominantly features shades of green, with the paper itself providing the lightest color within the piece. Displayed by Heritage Art/Heritage Images from their collection, this stunning image transports viewers back to sixteenth-century Italy—a testament to both Ugo da Carpi's talent and Diogenes' enduring legacy as an influential philosopher.
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