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, exemplifies the intricate work of the 'Little Masters,' a group of German artists known for detailed, small-scale prints. Beham, active in Nuremberg and later Frankfurt, was a prominent figure among them.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts Saturn, the Roman god of time, consuming one of his children, conveying a sense of darkness and urgency through the god's wild expression and sharp features.
Technique & Style
Beham employed cross-hatching, a technique involving fine, layered lines, to create deep shadows and a sense of realism, particularly in the rendering of Saturn's musculature.
History & Provenance
Created in 1539, Saturn is a product of Beham's work in the generation following Albrecht Dürer, a significant influence on German printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
