Enea Vico Art

Enea Vico was born in Parma in 1523. The fine impressions of Vico’s Trophy series are of astonishing clarity and brilliance. This sort of showmanship was until recently discounted as lacking in original draughtsmanship or inventiveness, but recent work (as exemplified in the British Museum exhibit The Print in Italy, 1550-1620), is reawakening enthusiasm for Italian prints of this period. In the December 2002 issue of the Print Quarterly, Rosemary Mulcahy writes that “Enea Vico da Parma was the outstanding printmaker of his generation.” She goes on to quote Vasari, who allocated Vico a substantial entry in his Lives: “many others have engaged in copper engraving, but have not attained such perfection.” Vico made a range of prints, including archaeological excursions and designs such as this one, and also statues, gems, vases and some portraits.