After Francesco Mazzuola, called Parmigianino. In a scene from The Golden Legend, the Roman Emperor Augustus consults the Tiburtine Sibyl, or wise-woman, as to whether he should be declared a god; the Sibyl points to a vision of the Virgin and Child to indicate who will be truly King of Heaven.
Chiaroscuro woodcut in two blocks, printed in grey-green. References: Bartsch XII,
90, 7; Gnann (2013) 87 and 88; Takahatake (2018) 31 and 32. The cheek of the
first boy on the right is unshaded, as in Takahatake’s first state.
An exceptionally fine, early impression before any of the holes or plugs that accrue in both blocks with successive printings, and before the upper left corner is broken off. Still with fresh relief. Several repaired tears, a central drying fold, a crease in the upper right corner, a couple of abrasions. Generally very intact, comparable to many museum impressions. 349 x 265mm.
