Artwork

Apollo Sauroctonos

Apollo Sauroctonos, by Jan de Bisschop, ink, 1668
Apollo Sauroctonos, by Jan de Bisschop, ink, 1668

Apollo Sauroctonos is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jan de Bisschop. It dates from 1668 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Apollo Sauroctonos is an etching on laid paper created by Jan de Bisschop in 1668. It is a print depicting a scene from mythology.

Subject & Meaning

The etching shows a nude male figure, likely Apollo, standing beside a column with intricate carvings. The figure's pose, with weight shifted onto one leg, conveys a sense of relaxed tension. The scene is drawn from classical mythology, reflecting the artist's interest in ancient subjects.

Technique & Style

The image is characterized by strong contrasts between light and dark, with the beige background providing a subtle foil to the darker tones of the figure and column. The etching technique allows for detailed rendering of textures, such as the scroll-like motif on the column's capital.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jan de Bisschop

Artist

Jan de Bisschop

Jan de Bisschop, also known as Johannes Episcopius (1628–1671), was a lawyer, who became a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.