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Leda and the Swan, by Sebald Beham, ink, 1548

Leda and the Swan

Sebald Beham

1548

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

Leda and the Swan is a 1548 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
Sebald Beham
When & what style?
1548 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

The image depicts a woman sitting on the ground, with a swan positioned behind her. The woman has long hair and is nude, while the swan has its wings spread wide. In the background, there are trees and a castle visible in the distance. The engraving features a mix of dark and light tones, with the woman and swan rendered in detailed cross-hatching. The background is more subdued, with the trees and castle depicted in softer lines. This image is an example of Renaissance art, specifically an engraving by Sebald Beham. If you're interested in learning more about this style, you might want to explore the work of another artist from the Renaissance movement.

About the artist

Portrait of Sebald Beham
Artist

Sebald Beham

Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.

See the richer artist page

More by Sebald Beham

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