Lycaon Transformed into a Wolf 1519 - 1529

Editor: So, this is Agostino Veneziano's "Lycaon Transformed into a Wolf," made sometime between 1519 and 1529. It's a print, an engraving, currently at the Met. The stark contrast between the wolf-headed figure and the reclining man on the bed is unsettling. What do you see in this piece that draws your attention? Curator: The composition is particularly compelling. Note how Veneziano uses line—precise, deliberate strokes—to define form and texture. The hatching and cross-hatching create a range of tonal values, giving depth to the figures and their surroundings. The architecture, too, it serves as more than mere background; it interacts with the figures. Do you notice the figure outside exists within the organic landscape, where the man is resting in a confined area, suggesting at division and judgement? Editor: I do. The figure with the wolf's head seems ready to strike! And yes, now that you mention it, the cross-hatching really does give the figures weight. Is the artist trying to express a moral point using formal techniques? Curator: Potentially. Consider how the formal arrangement reinforces a symbolic reading of the subject matter. One might even argue the contrast of textures contributes to the overall meaning. Does it tell you anything about the characters represented here? Editor: Absolutely! The meticulous detail in the man on the bed, versus the rougher lines of the wolf-man's figure. It makes the prone figure look more regal and real and the figure outside less civilized. The medium adds to this. It almost wouldn't work as a drawing. The lines wouldn't be precise enough, no? Curator: Exactly. The decision to use engraving allows for that level of precision and control, highlighting the details the artist wanted to emphasize, influencing how we perceive and interpret the subject. A successful use of method, content, and style overall. Editor: Wow, that really breaks it down. I’ll definitely be looking at line and texture more closely in other prints from now on!