Loading

The Calumny of Apelles

Giorgio Ghisi1560

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States

This allegory of injustice, popular with Renaissance artists for its moral content, is based on a written description of a lost painting by the ancient Greek artist Apelles. An enthroned judge with large ears is flanked by Suspicion and blindfolded Ignorance. He extends a hand to Calumny (Slander), who, helped by Envy, drags a young man by the hair into court. This youth protests his innocence to Truth and Time, who descend on a cloud to reveal Calumny’s lies and vindicate the accused. Deceit stands behind Calumny with a large net, while Repentance casts an apologetic glance toward Truth from beside the window.

Show lessRead more
Download this artwork (provided by The Cleveland Museum of Art).
Learn more about this artwork.
  • Title: The Calumny of Apelles
  • Creator: Giorgio Ghisi (Italian, 1520-1582), Luca Penni (Italian, 1500/04-1557)
  • Date Created: 1560
  • Physical Dimensions: Sheet: 37.3 x 32.3 cm (14 11/16 x 12 11/16 in.); Platemark: 36.9 x 31.9 cm (14 1/2 x 12 9/16 in.)
  • Provenance: [R. E. Lewis, Inc., Larkspur, CA, 1993]; Phillip Sommerville, Toronto; [Susan Schulman Printseller]
  • Type: Print
  • Rights: CC0
  • External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/2012.8
  • Medium: engraving
  • State of work: III/VI
  • Department: Prints
  • Culture: Italy, 16th century
  • Credit Line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
  • Collection: PR - Engraving
  • Accession Number: 2012.8
The Cleveland Museum of Art

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites