1585
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Mars and Venus Surprised by Vulcan is a 1585 ink by Hendrik Goltzius, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving depicts a scene with multiple figures. In the foreground, a man and woman are shown in a compromising position, with the man reclining and the woman sitting beside him. The woman is nude, while the man wears a loincloth. Above them, a group of figures are gathered, including a man holding a trident and another with wings. The background features a cloudy sky and a distant landscape. In the lower left corner, a small cherub is visible, adding to the overall sense of drama and tension in the scene. The use of cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and texture, drawing the viewer's eye through the composition. This engraving is a fine example of the Renaissance style, and you can learn more about it by exploring the work of artist Hendrick Goltzius.
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
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