The Eritrean Sibyl

About this work

This print shows a woman sitting on a pedestal, dressed in flowing robes, with a book in her lap. Around her, smaller figures—some muscular, some winged—pose dramatically in niches. The scene looks like a stage set, with arches, columns, and a grand backdrop of stairs and clouds. The woman’s calm pose contrasts with the twisting, active figures around her. The whole image is drawn with fine lines and shading, giving it a detailed, almost three-dimensional look. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Ghisi created such precise prints.