19. Hans Sebald Beham
(1500-1550)

Triumphal Procession of the Noble, Victorious Women

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Beham, Triumphal Procession of the Noble

Triumphal Procession of the Noble, Victorious Women

Engraving, 1549, 22 x 136 mm., Bartsch 143, Pauli 244 ii/ii, Hollstein 244 iii/iii, ex collections Thomas Thane (Lugt 2433), Josef von Hempel (L. 1255), Edouard Schultze (L. 906). Superb impression, the paper slightly darkened, on laid paper with partial thread margins or trimmed along the platemark. The subject is really a take-off on the basically serious, classical "triumph" (of Bacchus, of Love, of Eternity, of Maximillian, etc.) The women here carry flaming urns symbolizing passionate love. They lead the procession followed at the rear by the male warriors who their passion has subjugated. Even Neptune in the chariot is in thrall to his erotic female companion.