1588
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Icarus is a 1588 ink by Hendrik Goltzius, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a man falling headfirst into the sea, his arms spread wide. His legs twist awkwardly as he sinks, and his hair whips around his face. In the distance, a small figure on wings looks down from the sky, while a rocky island and crashing waves fill the background. The text around the edges is in Latin, wrapping like a border around the scene. The artist used fine lines to show muscle and movement, making the figure look dramatic. Next, check out engraving to see how artists like this one carved detailed images into metal plates.
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
See the richer artist page
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![The Borghese Gladiator, side view, turned to right [plate 28]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/d519e69b0c94bb6a/thumb.webp)
