Sebastiano di Re

Sebastiano di Re was a printmaker documented during a short period in the mid-16th century, with his active dates spanning 1557 to 1561. His surviving works, documented entirely as prints, reflect a mid-Renaissance interest in both classical topography and contemporary genre scenes.

The five works represented in museum collections often derive from the influential Roman print series Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae. This ambitious publishing project, known for producing museum-quality high-quality prints, focused on documenting classical sculptures, architecture, and views of the city. Sebastiano di Re contributed significant topographical works to the series, including the detailed Map of Greece and the extensive View of Rome from the North. He also executed specialized prints such as Two Dogs (represented twice in collections) and the genre piece The Cage of Fools (La gabbia de' matti).

Di Re’s limited but historically significant output is preserved in major institutions, establishing the credibility of his contribution to 16th-century printmaking. Five of Sebastiano di Re's prints are currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to the age of these works, many are now in the public domain, allowing for widely accessible downloadable artwork.