Apollo flaying Marsyas

Engraving, 1530-1560 circa, inscribed on the bottom left “An t. Sal. exc”.

After Francesco Salviati.

Lettered along bottom with three columns of description in Latin.

Exanple of the first state of three (or the second of four), before the address of Pacifici and De Rossi.

A very good impression, printed on contemporary laid paper, with watermark “prayng saint”, trimmed to the paltemark, two light paper folds, otherwise in very good condition.

The satyr Marsyas was a flute player who challenged Apollo to a music contest. He was defeated and was consequently at the mercy of the god, who decided to flay Marsyas alive as a punishment for losing.

Ex collection Plinio Nardecchia, print dealer in Rome (not in Lugt).

A. Nova 'Francesco Salviati e gli editori 1. Le incisioni', in Francesco Salviati (1510-1563) o la Bella Maniera, 1998, p.67; S. Boorsch, 'Salviati and Prints: the Question of Fagiuoli', in Francesco Salviati et la bella maniera, 2001; Luisa Mortari, Francesco Salviati, 1992, n.26, p. 300.