Artwork
The Rape of Hippodamia
The Rape of Hippodamia is a print by Pieter de Balliu. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Rape of Hippodamia is a 1650 print on paper by Pieter de Balliu, signed P. de Bailliu. It depicts a chaotic and violent scene from mythology.
Subject & Meaning
The print illustrates the mythological scene known as The Rape of Hippodamia or Combat of the Lapithae, showing a woman being fought over by naked men. The scene is one of desperation and aggression, with a broken column and scattered objects in the foreground.
Technique & Style
The print's dramatic lighting and deep shadows create a tense atmosphere, utilizing strong chiaroscuro to shape the action and emphasize the violence of the scene. The composition is based on a work by Rubens.
History & Provenance
The print was created in 1650 by Pieter de Balliu, after a composition by Rubens.
Artist & collection
Artist
Dutch printmakers in the 1600s loved dramatic scenes with horses and crowds. Pieter de Balliu carved *The Rape of Hippodamia*, a mid-17th-century print showing a myth about runaway horses dragging a bride off her…
