The Sacrifice of Iphigenia
1744
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1744
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a dramatic scene with people and animals in a chaotic mix. A woman in flowing robes is being lifted upward by another figure, while a man in old-fashioned clothes kneels, holding a sword. Below, a woman sits with a child, and a dog lies on the ground near overturned objects. The background has a cloudy, swirling sky with more figures floating in the air. The artist used sharp lines and deep shadows to create movement and tension. The scene looks like a moment of high emotion, with bodies twisted and faces turned upward. This is an etching, a printmaking technique that uses metal plates and acid.