Who painted Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon?

Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon was painted by Jean Lepautre in 1650.

Where can I see Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon?

Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon?

Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon?

Museum-quality prints of Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon

Jean Lepautre , 1650

Atlanta and Meleager Hunting the Boar of Calydon is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jean Lepautre. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jean Lepautre created this print around 1650 using etching and engraving techniques. The scene depicts a moment from Greek myth in which Atalanta and Meleager join forces to hunt the monstrous Calydonian boar. The composition is densely populated with figures and motion, capturing the chaos of the chase through intricate line work and dynamic positioning.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates the mythic hunt of the Calydonian boar, sent by Artemis to punish King Oeneus for neglecting her in sacrifices. Atalanta, a rare female hunter in classical myth, is shown alongside Meleager, highlighting themes of heroism and divine retribution. The boar’s central charge symbolizes uncontrollable nature, while the surrounding figures reflect human response to divine wrath.

Technique & Style

Lepautre employed fine, controlled etched lines to render textures of fur, fabric, and muscle with precision. The engraving’s dense cross-hatching enhances the sense of movement and depth, typical of 17th-century French printmaking. The composition avoids empty space, filling the frame with figures and foliage to amplify the urgency of the hunt.

History & Provenance

Created during Lepautre’s early career in Paris, the print likely served as part of a series illustrating classical myths for collectors and artists. It reflects the period’s revival of interest in antiquity and the popularity of mythological subjects in print form. No specific early ownership records are widely documented, but it circulated among European print enthusiasts.

Context

His prints bridged literary tradition and visual culture, appealing to educated audiences familiar with Ovid and other classical sources.

In mid-17th-century France, mythological themes were favored in decorative arts and prints, often commissioned by aristocratic patrons. Lepautre, trained as an architect and engraver, contributed to this trend by translating narrative scenes into detailed graphic works. His prints bridged literary tradition and visual culture, appealing to educated audiences familiar with Ovid and other classical sources.

Legacy

Lepautre’s print exemplifies the French academic tradition of mythological illustration, influencing later engravers in their treatment of dynamic action and classical subjects. While not widely reproduced today, it remains a representative example of mid-17th-century printmaking, valued for its technical finesse and adherence to literary sources.