1522
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Two Satyrs Fighting about a Nymph is a 1522 ink by Albrecht Altdorfer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows two muscular men tangled in a rough fight, their bodies twisted and straining. One has a beard and a cloak, while the other’s face is half-hidden by a woman’s limp form—she’s caught between them. The background is dark and swirling, like stormy clouds or tangled vines, making the scene feel chaotic and wild. The artist used sharp lines and heavy shading to show muscle and movement, almost like scratching into the paper. This wasn’t painted—it was carved into metal, then pressed onto the page. The rough texture makes the struggle feel even more intense. Next, look up engraving to see how artists carved these deep, dramatic lines.
Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…
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