Artwork
Two Satyrs Fighting about a Nymph
Two Satyrs Fighting about a Nymph is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1522 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Altdorfer, a German Renaissance artist active in Regensburg, produced the engraving Two Satyrs Fighting about a Nymph circa 1522. Executed on laid paper, the print presents a compact mythological scene rendered in fine line work typical of early 16th‑century German printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays two muscular satyrs—mythic beings half man, half goat—grappling over a delicate nymph, a spirit of nature. The nymph’s soft, vulnerable expression emphasizes her position as the object of the satyrs’ conflict, reflecting classical themes of desire and rivalry among wilderness deities.
Technique & Style
Altdorfer employs precise incised lines and cross‑hatching to model the figures’ bodies and to suggest depth in the rocky, tree‑lined backdrop. The contrast between sharply rendered musculature and the softer shading of the nymph highlights the tension of the struggle while maintaining the artist’s characteristic attention to landscape detail.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to Altdorfer’s output as one of the Nuremberg Little Masters, a group of engravers known for small, highly detailed works. Produced during the height of his career, the piece circulated among collectors of the period and now resides in several major print collections.
Context
Altdorfer’s work bridges his larger landscape paintings—where biblical and historical narratives unfold amid expressive scenery—and his more intimate engravings. This mythological subject aligns with the Renaissance revival of classical motifs, while the rustic setting reflects the Danube School’s focus on natural environments.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…
