The Circle of the Thieves; Buoso Donati Attacked by the Serpent
1827
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1827
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows four strange figures in a stormy, rocky landscape. On the left, two people in long robes stand with their hands clasped, looking at a bare-chested man with curly hair. To the right, a wild-haired figure wrestles with a giant snake rising from the ground. The sky is dark and swirling, and the water at the bottom churns like smoke. The snake’s tail curls around the wrestling man’s legs, pulling him down. The two robed figures seem to watch in silence, their faces calm but tense. If you like this eerie scene, look up engraving to see how artists carve intricate lines into metal.
