Artwork
Salmacis and Hermaphroditus
Salmacis and Hermaphroditus is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1589 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Salmacis and Hermaphroditus is a 1558 engraving on laid paper by Hendrick Goltzius, a prominent Dutch engraver of the early Baroque period. Characteristic of Northern Mannerism, the work showcases Goltzius's technical skill and compositional inventiveness.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving illustrates a classical mythological scene where the nymph Salmacis merges with Hermaphroditus, depicting the transformation as their bodies blend together in a aquatic setting.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employed intricate tiny lines and cross-hatching techniques to achieve detailed textures resembling skin and to convey muscularity and light effects, demonstrating his painterly approach to engraving.
History & Provenance
Created during Goltzius's peak as the last engraver of his time known for painterly authority, the work is now part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
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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