Perseus
1575
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1575
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Perseus is a 1575 ink by Giovanni Gallo, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a dramatic scene of a man mid-stride, holding a sword in one hand and a severed head by its hair in the other. Around him, a chaotic mix of figures—some winged, some monstrous—scatter in fear. The background is packed with swirling clouds and jagged rocks, giving the whole scene a sense of wild movement. The artist used sharp contrasts between light and dark to make certain parts pop, like the man’s face and the head he’s holding. The blue ink adds a cool tone that stands out against the black lines. If you like this style, look up woodcut to see how artists carved and printed these detailed images.
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