The Metamorphosis of Syrinx 1545 - 1580

This drawing, “The Metamorphosis of Syrinx,” was created by an anonymous artist using pen and brown ink with brown wash, over black chalk. It depicts the moment in Ovid’s *Metamorphoses* when the nymph Syrinx is transformed into reeds to escape the amorous pursuit of the god Pan. The tale reflects anxieties around the vulnerability of women in the face of male power. This is a preliminary study and, in its incompleteness, provides insight into artistic production and workshop practices. We can see pentimenti, adjustments, and the artist’s thought process as they worked through the composition. The drawing reflects the social structures of its time, particularly the patriarchal dynamics of ancient myths. The artist probably considered the relationship between humans and gods and the transformations that reflect the ever-changing nature of the world. Art historians study preparatory drawings like this to understand artistic processes and workshop practices. We research period texts and cultural contexts to better understand the art and the society in which it was produced.