Latona Insulted
1551
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1551
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Latona Insulted is a 1551 ink by Etienne Delaune, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a chaotic scene with wild animals and people in a rocky, wooded landscape. In the center, a woman and her two children are surrounded by creatures—some attacking, others watching. In the background, a grand building with domes sits on a hill above a small town. The Latin text at the bottom hints this is a myth about a goddess punished for her pride. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture, making the scene feel alive. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
