The Wedding of Mopsus and Nisa

The Wedding of Mopsus and Nisa

Pieter van der Heyden

1570

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This crowded scene shows a wild forest wedding with oddly dressed people. A bride and groom stand under a twisted tree, surrounded by musicians, dancers, and a goat-headed figure. The background has a village with a church spire and winding paths, while the ground is littered with scattered fruit and a half-eaten pig. The title hints this isn’t a real wedding—it’s a story with hidden meaning. The strange mix of humans, animals, and nature suggests a lesson about love or fate. Next, check out how engraving works to see how artists like this made detailed prints.

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