Artwork

The Apocalypse: The Dragon with Two Horns and the Beast with Seven

The Apocalypse: The Dragon with Two Horns and the Beast with Seven is a print by the Renaissance artist Jean Duvet. It dates from 1551 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This engraving is one of 23 in a bound volume illustrating the Apocalypse, based on the Book of Revelation.

About this work

Overview

This engraving is one of 23 in a bound volume illustrating the Apocalypse, based on the Book of Revelation. The series, the artist's magnum opus, took several years to complete.

Subject & Meaning

Depicting a scene from the Book of Revelation, the print shows a dragon with two horns and a beast with seven heads, symbolizing evil forces as described in the biblical narrative.

Technique & Style

Characterized by crowded compositions and ornamental surface patterns, the work showcases Jean Duvet's idiosyncratic style, which blends Italian High Renaissance influences with a disregard for rational spatial representation.

History & Provenance

Part of a rare complete set (one of seven known), this print is from the oeuvre of Jean Duvet, a pioneering French printmaker of the 16th century, primarily active in Langres.

Context

Though working in a provincial setting, Duvet's exposure to Italian prints (notably Marcantonio Raimondi's) influenced his solidly modeled figures, distinguishing his work within early French printmaking.

Legacy

As one of the first major French printmakers, Duvet's innovative and highly personal style in this series contributes significantly to the development of 16th-century French art.