Artwork
Ixion
Ixion is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1588 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Ixion is an engraving on laid paper created by Hendrick Goltzius in 1588. It is a representative work of the Northern Mannerism style, characteristic of Goltzius's intricate and technically advanced compositions.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts the mythological figure Ixion, shown bound to a wheel. However, the visual representation is more complex, featuring a chaotic scene with intertwined figures and a sense of turmoil, suggesting a narrative that extends beyond the central figure.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employed cross-hatching, a technique involving fine, crisscrossed lines, to create depth, texture, and a three-dimensional effect. The use of dark lines contributes to a sense of movement and tension, characteristic of his engravings and the Northern Mannerism style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1588 by Hendrick Goltzius, a German-born Dutch printmaker and draftsman, Ixion exemplifies the artist's skill and his position as a leading Dutch engraver of the early Baroque period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
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