Fortuna (Fortune)
1541
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Sebald Beham
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
See the richer artist page1541
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Fortuna (Fortune) is a 1541 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving depicts a woman with large wings and a crown, holding a wheel with a small man on top. She wears a long dress and has a cloak draped over her left arm. In her right hand, she grasps a sheaf of wheat. The background features a body of water with a ship, as well as a town with buildings and a church steeple. The woman's wings and crown suggest she is a representation of Fortuna, the goddess of fortune. The wheel she holds is a symbol of fate, and the man on top may represent the unpredictability of fortune. The level of detail in this engraving is impressive, with intricate cross-hatching used to create texture and depth. For more information on this technique, look up cross-hatching.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
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