Offer van Polyxena c. 1636 - 1670

"Offer van Polyxena" is an etching by Crispijn van de Passe (II) (1597 - 1670) that depicts the sacrifice of Polyxena, a Trojan princess, to appease the ghost of Achilles. The scene takes place on a raised platform with Polyxena kneeling in front of a priest who is about to sacrifice her. The artwork is a detailed composition with a variety of characters including soldiers and a priest. This particular etching, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, is characteristic of the artist’s signature style and demonstrates his mastery of the medium.