Plate 114: Achilles Battling Cygnus (Cygnus ab Achille interficitur), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' 1606

This is Antonio Tempesta’s ‘Achilles Battling Cygnus,’ an engraving made in the late 16th or early 17th century. It illustrates a scene from Ovid's ‘Metamorphoses,’ where the Greek hero Achilles confronts Cygnus, son of Neptune. Made in Italy, this print reflects the Renaissance fascination with classical literature and mythology. The engraving technique, with its intricate lines, allowed for mass production and dissemination of such stories. This was vital to the cultural institutions of the time, to the academies and universities that looked to classical antiquity for models of civic virtue. Notice the dynamic composition, full of movement and drama. Tempesta's skill in capturing the intensity of the battle speaks to the social function of art in conveying moral lessons and celebrating heroic ideals. By studying prints like these alongside historical texts, we gain insight into the values and beliefs of the time. Ultimately, art provides a window into understanding the complex interplay between culture, society, and individual expression.