1664
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Jason and the Dragon is a 1664 ink by Salvator Rosa, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a chaotic scene with a group of people tangled in vines and thorny branches. One figure at the top seems to be struggling, while others below appear caught or climbing. The background is filled with thick, swirling lines that look like tangled roots or stormy clouds. The artist used fine, precise lines to create texture, making the scene feel dramatic and messy. Notice how the lines overlap—this isn’t just shading, but a way to show movement and chaos. Try looking up etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how these techniques create such sharp, layered details.
Salvator Rosa (1615 – 15 March 1673) is best known today as an Italian Baroque painter, whose romanticised landscapes and history paintings, often set in dark and untamed nature, exerted considerable influence from the 17th century into the early 19th century.
See the richer artist page
