Artwork
Danae
Danae is a print by Robert, Sir Strange. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This paper print reproduces an engraving by Robert Strange after Titian’s early‑17th‑century painting titled Danaë.
About this work
Overview
This paper print reproduces an engraving by Robert Strange after Titian’s early‑17th‑century painting titled Danaë. The original composition, now in the Museo di Capodimonte in Naples, shows the mythic figure Danaë reclining on a bed, a small winged child nearby, and a dimly lit interior that hints at a narrative moment.
Subject & Meaning
The scene portrays Danaë, the daughter of King Acrisius, as she lies on a modest couch draped in a sheer sheet. A cherubic figure with wings holds an object, suggesting the presence of Zeus in the form of a golden rain, a common iconographic element that alludes to the divine conception of Perseus.
Technique & Style
Strange’s work translates Titian’s oil composition into an engraving, employing fine line work and cross‑hatching to suggest texture, light, and depth. The print captures the soft folds of the sheet, the delicate anatomy of the figure, and the atmospheric gloom of the background, demonstrating the engraver’s skill in rendering tonal variation on paper.
History & Provenance
The engraving was produced by the Scottish artist Robert Strange (1721–1792), who was known for creating prints after master paintings. By reproducing Titian’s Danaë, Strange facilitated wider circulation of the image beyond the Naples collection, and the print now forms part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings.
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