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PALMA VECCHIO (ACTIVE 1480-1528)

A Sibyl

c. 1522-4

RCIN 405763

The seductive but idealised female half-length was another of Palma’s specialities, and like no. 70, it too was inspired by prototypes by Titian. The woman’s appearance may reflect the look of Venetian courtesans at the time, and echoes literary descriptions of erotic beauty. The exotic but meaningless lettering at lower left gave rise to the idea that the woman is a sibyl.

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