Allegory of Carnal Love

About this work

This engraving shows a group of nude figures tangled in a forest. A man stands in the center, his arms outstretched as if caught in a struggle. Around him, women reach for him or each other, their bodies twisted in motion. Trees and vines fill the background, framing the scene like a curtain. Notice how the artist used fine lines to show muscle and fabric—this isn’t paint, it’s carved into the surface. The figures look alive, even though they’re just ink on vellum. Check out engraving to see how this technique works.