1572
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Olympy Iovis Simulacrum (The Statue of Jupiter at Olympia) is a 1572 ink by Philip Galle, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a towering statue of a bearded man holding a scepter, standing on a pedestal inside a grand temple. Around it, smaller figures—some kneeling, others standing—fill the scene, while a crowd gathers at the base of the steps. Trees and classical columns frame the temple, and the whole image is drawn in sharp black lines with no color. The text at the top calls it *Olympy Iovis Simulacrum*, meaning "The Statue of Jupiter at Olympia." The tiny figures and detailed architecture suggest this was meant to look like an ancient Greek temple. Look up engraving to see how artists like this one used metal plates and sharp tools to create intricate prints.
Philip (or Philips) Galle (1537 – March 1612) was a Dutch publisher, best known for publishing old master prints, which he also produced as designer and engraver. He is especially known for his reproductive engravings of paintings.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
