The Rape of Hippodamia
1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
The Rape of Hippodamia is a 1650 by Pieter de Balliu, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows a chaotic scene of naked men fighting over a woman. One man on the right swings a club, while others grab or drag her. A horse lies on the ground, and a broken column and scattered objects fill the foreground. The background has a rocky cliff and a dark sky. The woman’s struggle looks desperate, while the men’s poses are aggressive and twisted. The print’s dramatic lighting and deep shadows make the scene feel tense and violent. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this strong contrast between light and dark shapes the action.
