Penelope and her servants at the spinning wheel.

Copperplate, 45 x 21 cm, signed in centre "A.Fontana.Bleo.Bol inventor".

Penelope standing in the centre by a large weaving table amongst her women spinning and weaving. Copperplate for an engraving commonly attributed to the Monogrammist FG, after a design by Primaticcio. The group of prints signed FG, and after designs by Primaticcio, has traditionally been identified as by Guido Ruggieri (see Maria Biasini 1997), who is documented as working with Primaticcio at Fontainebleau in the 1540s. Most recently Suzanne Boorsch has read the monogram as GF, and linked the group with the Italian artist Girolamo Faccioli (Fagiuoli). He was from 1560-73 employed by the Bologna Mint as master of the dies, and was described by Vasari as a goldsmith and engraver, who approached Parmigianino asking for designs to engrave.The purpose or location of Primaticcio's design at Fontainebleau is not clear.
Ref. M. Bury, The Print in Italy 1550-1625, British Museum, London 2001 p. 204. - S. Boorsch, The French Renaissance in Prints, Los Angeles 1994, p. 470. - Bartsch XV:416.2.