Artwork
Jason and the Dragon
Jason and the Dragon is an ink print by the Baroque artist Salvator Rosa. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jason and the Dragon is a print by Salvator Rosa, created using etching and drypoint techniques around 1664. It exemplifies the artist's Italian Baroque style, characterized by dramatic narrative and a focus on untamed nature.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a scene from mythology where Jason confronts a dragon. The chaotic composition, with figures entangled in vines and thorny branches, conveys a sense of turmoil and struggle.
Technique & Style
Rosa employed fine, precise lines to create texture and convey drama. The overlapping lines suggest movement and chaos, while the use of etching and drypoint allowed for sharp, layered details.
History & Provenance
Rosa worked in Naples, Rome, and Florence, and was known for his versatility as a painter, poet, and printmaker. His bold and often satirical approach to art made him both celebrated and controversial in his time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Salvator Rosa (1615 – 15 March 1673) is best known today as an Italian Baroque painter, whose romanticised landscapes and history paintings, often set in dark and untamed nature, exerted considerable influence from the 17th century into…
