Five numbered scenes, each after a painter in the Accademia Degl'Incamminati, from IL FUNERALE D'AGOSTINO CARRACCIO FATTO IN BOLOGNA SUA PATRIA DAGL'INCAMINATI Academici del Disegno: 1. Ceres lamenting the death of Carracci before Jupiter, painted by Ippolito Ferrantini; 2. Personification of Painting entrusting Carracci's body to Fame, painted by Giovanni Battista Bertusi; 3. The Fates leading the blindfolded Carracci to the foot of Jupiter's throne, painted by Lucio Massari; 4. Three rivers representing the cities of Bologna, Rome and Parma (Reno, Tiber and Parma) with Fame at left, designed by Sebastiano Razzali and painted by Baldessare Aloisi Galanini; 5. Agostino Carracci abducted by Mars who is jealous of the artist's portrait of Adonis made for a Farnese gallery panel, painted by Giovanni Battista Busi. 1603

This small engraving now at the Met, was made by Guido Reni after several artists of the Accademia Degl'Incamminati, to commemorate the death of Agostino Carracci. It's a fascinating artifact reflecting the artistic and social values of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, particularly the hierarchical structures within the art world. Each scene, rendered in delicate lines, presents an allegorical depiction of Carracci's death, engaging with classical mythology and themes of artistic legacy, yet within a very specific cultural context. Carracci, abducted by Mars due to jealousy over a painting of Adonis, speaks volumes about the perception of male artists and their relationships—a complex mix of rivalry, admiration, and the ever-present specter of patronage. The emotional weight of the print is palpable, a collective lament for a lost talent. The piece invites us to consider how artists' legacies are constructed and remembered, both through their work and the narratives spun around their lives.