Phaeton's Sisters Changed into Poplars, and Cygnus into a Swan 1589

Hendrick Goltzius's "Phaeton's Sisters Changed into Poplars, and Cygnus into a Swan" (1589) is an engraving that depicts a scene from Greek mythology. The work shows the sisters of Phaeton, who were transformed into poplar trees, lamenting his death. Their weeping tears fall into a river where Cygnus, a faithful friend of Phaeton, has been changed into a swan. This print is characteristic of the Northern Mannerist style, exemplified by the dynamic poses of the figures and the exaggerated sense of emotion. Goltzius's use of light and shadow adds to the dramatic nature of the scene, creating a sense of depth and realism.