The Triumph of Fame from The Triumphs of Petrarch 1543 - 1553

Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert made this engraving, *The Triumph of Fame*, as part of a series called *The Triumphs of Petrarch*. It stages an allegorical contest. Fame, a woman blowing a trumpet while seated on a cloud, is set against the figure of Death, a skeleton whose tools lie scattered. This image was made in the Netherlands during the late 16th century. The artist would have been aware of both classical and Christian traditions. It presents a worldview in which worldly fame can transcend mortality. This idea was especially pertinent during the period, as the institutions of the art market began to emerge and some artists became celebrities in their own right. The print medium was also becoming more widely available in the Netherlands at this time. Coornhert's work, therefore, speaks to a culture in which fame and reputation were becoming increasingly important. To fully appreciate this work, we can research the history of fame, printmaking, and the art market. This reveals how artists negotiated new cultural expectations.