Who painted The Sacrifice of Iphigenia?

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia was painted by Pietro Testa in 1642.

Where can I see The Sacrifice of Iphigenia?

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Sacrifice of Iphigenia?

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia

Pietro Testa , 1642

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia is a drawing by the Baroque artist Pietro Testa. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The drawing is a preparatory study created around 1642 for an intended engraving.

About this work

This is a Baroque drawing from around 1642. It shows a myth story from the Trojan War. The moment is when the goddess Diana saves Iphigenia by swapping her with a deer.

The artist made this as a warm-up for an engraving he planned to print the same year. It mixes ancient gods and human drama in one scene.

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Overview

The drawing is a preparatory study created around 1642 for an intended engraving. Executed in a Baroque manner, it depicts the mythological episode in which the goddess Diana intervenes to spare Iphigenia, substituting her with a deer. The work reflects the artist’s engagement with classical narratives and serves as a compositional trial for the final print.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the climactic moment of the Iphigenia myth, part of the larger Trojan War saga, where divine mercy averts a human sacrifice. By showing Diana’s intervention, the composition emphasizes themes of salvation, the power of the divine over mortal fate, and the tension between ritual duty and compassion.

Technique & Style

Rendered in pen and wash, the study exhibits vigorous line work characteristic of mid‑17th‑century Roman drawing. The figures are arranged in dynamic, overlapping poses, creating a sense of movement typical of Baroque drama. Light shading suggests volume and the impending substitution of the maiden with the animal, while the handling of drapery hints at the artist’s later print techniques.

History & Provenance

The drawing was produced by Pietro Testa (1612‑1650), a Roman artist known for his skill in both printmaking and drawing. Created as a preparatory piece for an engraving planned in the same year, it exemplifies Testa’s late‑period focus on antiquity and mythological subjects. The work now resides in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.