Mercury Abducting Psyche
1597
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1597
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows two figures in a twisted pose. One is a muscular man with wings on his heels, lifting a woman by the arm. She’s dressed in flowing robes, her head tilted back as if surprised. Both faces are turned toward each other, but the woman’s eyes are closed. The scene looks like a story from ancient myths. The man’s wings and the woman’s expression suggest movement and drama. Look up engraving to see how artists like this carved detailed lines into metal plates.
