Orpheus Playing to the Animals 1515 - 1525

This anonymous engraving from the early 16th century depicts Orpheus, the legendary musician, playing a lyre to a group of animals. The artist uses intricate linework to depict the scene, capturing the detail of Orpheus's posture and the animals' captivated expressions. The composition is centered around Orpheus, whose music is the focal point of the work. The animals, including a lion, a rabbit, and a dog, are depicted with a sense of wonder, highlighting the power of Orpheus's music to unite and inspire. This small-scale work, measuring 3-3/4 x 2-7/8 in, showcases the mastery of the anonymous artist, and is a testament to the enduring power of classical mythology.