Artwork
Lust
Lust is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Pieter van der Heyden. It dates from 1558 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1558 by Pieter van der Heyden, 'Lust' is an engraving on laid paper that exemplifies the Northern Renaissance tradition in print form.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a chaotic scene centered around a naked woman, surrounded by grotesque creatures, with a church and a figure observing from a doorway in the background. The presence of 'LUXURIA' near the bottom indicates that the work is a cautionary representation of excessive pleasure.
Technique & Style
Van der Heyden employed cross-hatching, a technique that utilizes layered lines to create depth, shadow, and texture, contributing to the image's complex and detailed visual landscape.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter van der Heyden (c. 1530 - after March 1572) was a Flemish printmaker who is known for his reproductive engravings after works by leading Flemish painters and designers of the 16th century.
