Artwork
The Daughters of Niobe
The Daughters of Niobe is a print by the Renaissance artist Perino del Vaga. It dates from 1541 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Daughters of Niobe is a print attributed to Perino del Vaga, existing in a second state dated 1541.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic scene of figures in distress, with some sprawled on the ground, others reaching toward the sky, and a few frozen in fear, set against a backdrop of a distant city and swirling clouds.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to create a sense of urgency, with dark figures silhouetted against a lighter sky, drawing the viewer's eye to the action.
Artist & collection
Artist
Piero Bonaccorsi (1501 – October 19, 1547), known as Perino (or Perin) del Vaga, was an Italian painter and draughtsman of the Late Renaissance/Mannerism.
