The earliest influence which we may trace in Marcantonio’s work is that of the famous goldsmith and painter, Francesco Francia, with whom Marcantonio served his apprenticeship. Certain nielli, among them Pyramus and Thisbe and Arion on the Dolphin, have been assigned to the young Marcantonio and attributed to this period of his life.
St. George and the Dragon is strongly reminiscent of the niello technique, with its dark shadows, against which the figures stand out in relief. The landscape is clearly borrowed or adapted from engravings in Dürer’s earlier period, the trees at the left, in particular, recalling the Hercules.
MARCANTONIO RAIMONDI. ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON
Size of the original engraving, 11⅞ × 8¾ inches
In the British Museum
(If supported click figure to enlarge.)
MARCANTONIO RAIMONDI. BATHERS
Size of the original engraving, 11¼ × 9 inches
In the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
MARCANTONIO RAIMONDI. ST. CECILIA