Panel with figure of Saturn, plate 1 1550 - 1565

René Boyvin created this engraving, “Panel with figure of Saturn, plate 1,” in the 16th century. The monochrome print presents an elaborate, stylized composition featuring the figure of Saturn. The structure is organized vertically, with the Saturn figure at the center. Boyvin uses dense, cross-hatched lines to create a sense of depth and texture, contrasting with the smoother areas to highlight specific forms. The figure of Saturn, burdened and aged, stands above a scythe. Masks, garlands, and grotesque figures frame the central image, contributing to an atmosphere that is both decorative and somewhat unsettling. This panel exemplifies the Mannerist style with its complex ornamentation. By destabilizing classical ideals of beauty through exaggerated forms and detailed embellishments, Boyvin engages with philosophical ideas about the grotesque. The print invites us to contemplate themes of time, decay, and the darker aspects of human existence, mediated through intricate visual forms.