A battle of soldiers some on horseback

Master of 1515

ca. 1510–1520 · Engraving with dry-point effect · Drawings and Prints

Little is known about this idiosyncratic engraver, whose name derives from the date on one of his prints. It is possible that he can be identified with Agostino Busi, known as Il Bambaia, since several of his architectural prints derive from a sketchbook attributed to that Lombard sculptor, active in Milan in the early sixteenth century. The most distinctive feature of his style, which is close in many respects to that of Mantegna, is the presence of burr-the bits of metal that form on either side of an incision into a metal plate. When not burnished away, this burr absorbs the ink and prints a rich, velvety black, a feature very evident throughout this battle scene.

Artist

Master of 1515

Date

ca. 1510–1520

Medium

Engraving with dry-point effect

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1929