Artwork
Atalata condoti da Diana
Atalata condoti da Diana is an ink print by the Baroque artist Balthasar Moncornet. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Balthasar Moncornet’s 1634 etching, titled *Atalanta condotta da Diana*, presents a complex maritime tableau rendered on laid paper.
Balthasar Moncornet’s 1634 etching, titled *Atalanta condotta da Diana*, presents a complex maritime tableau rendered on laid paper. A densely populated vessel dominates the composition, its hull bearing the name “Atalata” and surrounded by fluttering banners. Above the ship, a female figure in a chariot drawn by deer holds a bow, evoking the Roman huntress Diana. The print combines narrative intrigue with detailed costuming and shipboard activity.
Subject & Meaning
The central female figure is identified as Diana, the goddess of the hunt, guiding the ship’s journey. Her presence, alongside the vessel’s inscription, suggests a mythological episode in which the deity leads or protects a fleet, though the specific story is not explicitly detailed. The crowded deck, armored figures, and bustling sailors create a sense of collective endeavor under divine supervision.
Technique & Style
Moncornet employed traditional etching methods, incising lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto laid paper. The work displays fine linear work characteristic of 17th‑century French prints, with intricate detailing of armor, textiles, and ship rigging. The contrast between densely hatched areas and delicate line work conveys depth and movement, highlighting the artist’s skill in rendering complex scenes within the constraints of the medium.
History & Provenance
Created during Moncornet’s active period as a painter and engraver, the print reflects his occasional turn toward mythological subjects, diverging from his more common portraiture of contemporary figures. The piece has survived in several collections of early modern prints, illustrating the continued interest in French etchings that blend narrative content with technical virtuosity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Balthasar Moncornet (1600, Rouen – 1668, Paris) was a French painter, engraver, and tapissier revered for his depictions of around 45 different prominent figures of the 17th century.
