Autumn 1530 - 1573

Battista Angolo del Moro created this print, Autumn, sometime between 1535 and 1573. Del Moro’s Autumn offers a study in contrasts—the strong verticality of the figure’s stance against the ripe, drooping grapes. The image compels us to consider the interplay between form and symbol. Consider how Del Moro uses the human form. The male figure, likely representing the Roman god Bacchus, is rendered with a subtle play of light and shadow, creating depth and volume. His relaxed posture and the grapes he holds suggest abundance and the indulgence of autumn. The vine that snakes around the staff could be seen as a visual metaphor for the transformative power of nature. This print is not just an illustration but an exploration of classical themes through the language of the body. The choice of etching, with its fine lines, allows for detailed textures that invite close inspection, reminding us that art is as much about the process of seeing as it is about understanding.