1589
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Fight between Ulysses and Irus is a 1589 ink by Jan Muller, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a chaotic street scene with two shirtless men fighting in the center. One man is on his knees while the other stands over him, fists raised. Around them, a crowd of people—some standing, some sitting—watches or reacts. A child lies on the ground nearby, and a dog sits quietly in the corner. The artist used deep shadows and sharp lines to make the scene feel dramatic. The background shows buildings and a tower, but the focus stays on the struggle. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one carved detailed scenes into metal.
Jan Harmensz. Muller (1571–1628) was a Dutch engraver and painter. Muller was born in Amsterdam. His father was a book printer, engraver and publisher. He learned the engraving trade while working in the family…
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