Carracci, Agostino

(1557 Bologna-1602 Parma) (Italy); aka Carrachi, Augustin

   Painter and engraver. Significant figure in the late Italian Renaissance, together with his brother Annibale and cousin Ludovico. Studied printmak-ing with Cornelis Cort of the Netherlands and is said to have studied under P. Fontana, D. Tibaldi, and A. Menganti. He not only pioneered the technique of reproducing the paintings of others in prints, but was an innovative artist in his own right. Among his prints were a version of the Loves of the Gods and other subjects related to sex in ancient mythology, such as the engraving "Priapskult."

   Reproductions: Aretino or the Loves of the Gods; c1602; Neret, 1994: pp. 128-147 . Le Sondeur; Klinger, 1982b: p. 54 [B] / Brusendorff, 1960a: p. 118 [B]. Old men surprising a girl; engraving; Bentley, 1984: p. 72 [B]. Satyr and Nymph; c1585; engraving; Bentley, 1984: p. 68 [B] / Klinger, 1982b: p. 55 [B]. Satyr approaching sleeping nymph; Wallace 2007: p. 74 . Satyr copulating with Nymph; 1584-1587; Webb, 1975: p. 119 [B] / Wallace 2007: p. 74 [C]. Satyr flogging Nymph; Brusendorff, 1965: n.p. [B] / Wallace 2007: p. 74 [C]. Venus at her toilet; Brusendorff, 1960a: p. 118 [B] / Klinger, 1982b: p. 56 [B].

   [b]Source: Benezit, vol. 3: pp. 454-456; DoA vol. 5: pp. 856-858; Louis Dunand, "Les estampes composant 'le lascivie' du graveur Augustin Carrache," Bulletin des Musees et Monuments Lyonnais, 1957; Louis Dunand, "A propos d'une estampe rare du Musee des Beaux-Arts de Lyon appartenant a la suite du 'Lascivie' d'Augustin Carrache," Bulletin des Musees Lyonnais 2, 1 (1957-1961): pp. 1 -20; Otto Kurz, "Gli Amori dei Carraci: four forgotten paintings by Agostino Carrachi," Journal of the Warburg and Courtaud Institute 14, 304 (1951): pp. 221 -233; ThB VI 1912: p. 53.