Daphne and Peneus

Master del Dado was trained as painter and engraver in Marcantonio’s workshop; he was born around 1512 and worked in Rome between 1532 and 1550. He is very often mistaken with Beatricetto or Bonasone. Le Blanc believes that he was a descendant of Bernardo Daddi (1512 – Rome 1570), a painter, according to the monogram that signs his prints. Some others identify him with Benedetto Verini, presumed son of Marcantonio, which would have explained the monogram BV on his plates. According to Bartsch though, the V might stand for Venetian or again for Tommaso Vincidor da Bologna. He engraved drawings of other artists for Lafrery; his favourite subjects were Raphael, Peruzzi, Giulio Romano and Tommaso Vincidor. To Master del Dado have been ascribed about 85 prints, according to Malaspina and also Bartsch says they are 85, while Passavant believes they are 89.