Battle of the Sea Gods (left half) c. 1470s
andreamantegna
minneapolisinstituteofart
print, engraving
ink drawing
pen drawing
pen sketch
personal sketchbook
ink drawing experimentation
pen-ink sketch
pen work
sketchbook drawing
italy
sketchbook art
engraving
fantasy sketch
This drawing, "Battle of the Sea Gods," is a pen and ink drawing by Andrea Mantegna, created in the 1470s. It depicts a scene of mythological combat between sea gods, a popular subject for Renaissance artists. The drawing is characterized by Mantegna's signature use of foreshortening, which creates a sense of depth and drama. It is part of a larger series of drawings depicting various mythological subjects, highlighting Mantegna's interest in classical themes and techniques. The drawing is currently housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, where art enthusiasts can admire Mantegna's masterful penmanship and mythological storytelling.
Comments
According to the sign held by the crone at the upper left, envy has led to discord among the sea gods. When satyrs on seahorses square off, it's fish versus baton, while the nymph-bearing sea-centaurs adopt bonier weapons. This print was the largest engraving ever produced at the time it was made-so large that the image had to be engraved on two separate plates. It so perfectly embodied Renaissance understanding of antiquity that the sculptures based on its design were thought to be genuinely ancient.
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