Artwork
A King and Diana Receiving Huntsmen
A King and Diana Receiving Huntsmen is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jean Duvet. It dates from 1551 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1551, this engraving by Jean Duvet depicts a regal gathering in which a crowned monarch and the goddess Diana receive a group of hunters. Executed on laid paper, the print combines mythological narrative with courtly ceremony, presenting a densely populated scene that balances human and divine figures.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures are a king, identifiable by his crown and scepter, and Diana, the huntress goddess, shown with her characteristic bow and flowing attire. Surrounding them are several hunters bearing spears and shields, suggesting an audience or tribute. The composition underscores themes of authority, divine patronage of the hunt, and the intersection of earthly power with mythic protection.
Technique & Style
Duvet’s engraving is marked by intricate line work and a crowded arrangement of forms, typical of his oeuvre. The rendering of clothing folds and architectural background displays a meticulous attention to texture, while the overall composition retains a somewhat naïve, immediate quality that distinguishes his approach from more polished Renaissance prints.
History & Provenance
Jean Duvet, a French goldsmith turned printmaker active from the late 15th to the mid‑16th century, is regarded as France’s first major engraver. Approximately 73 of his plates survive, and this particular work is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C., where it remains on public display.
Context
The print belongs to the broader genre of mythological imagery popular in Renaissance art, yet Duvet’s treatment reflects his personal blend of religious sensibility and narrative vigor. His background as a goldsmith informs the precision of his incisions, while his French origins set him apart from the dominant Italian print traditions of the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Duvet (1485 – after 1562) was a French Renaissance goldsmith and engraver, now best known for his engravings.
