Artwork
Saturn
Saturn is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1539 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Sebald Beham's 1539 engraving, Saturn, is a small-scale print characteristic of his work as one of the 'Little Masters,' a group of German artists known for intricate details in compact compositions.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts the Roman god Saturn consuming one of his children, conveying a sense of violence and urgency through the god's grip on a knife and the child's limp form suspended over a dark void.
Technique & Style
Beham's use of sharp lines creates a contrast between light and shadow, while the rough texture of the engraving adds to the overall feeling of intensity and drama in the scene.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
