Portrait of the Duke of Alva, from a Series of Tazza Designs

Theodor de Bry

ca. 1588 · Engraving · Drawings and Prints

In the central medallion, a portrait of the Duke of Alva as Commander of Folly, shown in profile, facing left dressed in armor, with the inverted head of jester hanging from his neck. The medallion is framed by circular ornamental frieze with a variety of scenes depicting vomitting, defecating, and fornicating human figures and monkeys. From a series of four designs for ornamented tazza, or drinking vessels.

Artist

Theodor de Bry

Date

ca. 1588

Medium

Engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1951