Open full image Pin
The Dragon Devouring the Companions of Cadmus, by Hendrik Goltzius, ink, 1615

The Dragon Devouring the Companions of Cadmus

Hendrik Goltzius

1615

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

The Dragon Devouring the Companions of Cadmus is a 1615 ink by Hendrik Goltzius, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
Hendrik Goltzius
When & what style?
1615 · Baroque
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image depicts a dramatic scene of a man fighting a dragon, with the dragon's long tail curled around the man's legs. The man is holding a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left, while the dragon's mouth is open, revealing sharp teeth. In the background, there are trees and rocks, adding to the sense of a wild and untamed environment. The level of detail in the engraving is impressive, with intricate cross-hatching used to create texture and depth. The contrast between light and dark adds to the overall sense of drama and tension in the scene. The use of engraving and cross-hatching techniques creates a sense of movement and energy, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figure of the man fighting the dragon. This artwork is reminiscent of the works of Goltzius, Hendrick.

About the artist

Portrait of Hendrik Goltzius
Artist

Hendrik Goltzius

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

More by Hendrik Goltzius

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app