The abduction of Helen of Troy.

Engraving, 29,4 x 41,7 cm, laid paper, signed with monogram in the plate at lower edge (trimmed to platemarks, some sm. tears at the edges and tiny holes, traces of old mount on verso, tiny piece of upper right corner missing, brown stain at right edge).

Under passe-partout and frame.

One of the most spectacular and rarest prints of Marco Dente (1480-1527), showing an impressive display of anatomical precision of bodies in various positions and a technical tour de force of creating depth. Based upon a now lost fresco by Raphael, the scene represents the dramatic moment of the capturing of Helen with the Trojans landing on the Greek shores in the background. Marco Dente was a pupil of Marcantonio Raimondi in Rome and made only a few engravings before he was killed during the Sacco di Roma (1527). His plates were purchased (or taken) and re-issued by Antonio Lafreri. This is the 3rd state (of 4), published by Giovanni Battista de' Rossi. An identical print is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of New York (inv. 2012.136.860).
Ref. Bartsch XIV.171.210. - Imolesi Pozzi 2008, no. 9.