Artwork
Leda and the Swan
Leda and the Swan is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Giovanni Battista Palumba. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Leda and the Swan is an engraving created by Giovanni Battista Palumba around 1510.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a scene from classical mythology where Zeus, transformed into a swan, seduces Leda. The urgent atmosphere is conveyed through jagged lines and dark shadows, emphasizing the intensity of the moment.
Technique & Style
Palumba employed cross-hatching to achieve a textured, mood-driven representation. The dense, tightly packed lines create a lifelike quality in the swan's feathers and Leda's skin, with the swan's grasp on her wrist being a focal point.
Artist & collection
