Keizer Augustus en de Tiburtijnse Sibille c. 1540 - 1550

Niccolò Vicentino created this chiaroscuro woodcut of ‘Keizer Augustus en de Tiburtijnse Sibille’ around the mid-16th century. This print engages with the culture of prophecy that was very much alive in the Renaissance. The image depicts the Roman Emperor Augustus consulting the Tiburtine Sibyl, a prophetic figure from classical antiquity. According to legend, the Sibyl foretold the coming of Christ to Augustus, an event that was later interpreted as a prefiguration of the emperor's conversion to Christianity. The scene is set within a classical architectural framework, and the figures are rendered in a style that evokes ancient Roman sculpture. This artwork reflects the cultural and intellectual climate of the Renaissance, in which there was a renewed interest in classical antiquity and its relationship to Christianity. Niccolò Vicentino was part of a generation of artists who were interested in the revival of classical art and learning. To understand this artwork better, we can research the relevant literature, theology, and history of the period. Through this we can come to appreciate the complex interplay of culture, religion, and politics.