Gondola Ride

Description In this delightful image, a playful artist attached a flap of paper over the cabin of a gondola, concealing the lovers within and inviting the viewer to play "peek-a-boo." When the flap is lifted, a man's secret amorous advances toward his lady are revealed, and the woman coyly acknowledges the viewer's voyeuristic gaze.

Exhibitions

• Decadent Decades: The Medieval Clothes Horse. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1989.
• The Artful Book: Selections from a Contemporary Collection of Books by Artists. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2002-2003.
• Checkmate! Medieval People at Play. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2010.

Provenance Beat Hagenbach of Bâle, 1608, by gift [from the artist]; Léon Gruel [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, February 1905 or 1906 [included on shipping list with most of date removed]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, ca. 1905