The Death of Aeschylus 1576 - 1606

Tobias Verhaecht's "The Death of Aeschylus" is a pen and wash drawing on paper depicting the death of the Greek playwright Aeschylus. The circular composition features a seated figure, likely representing Aeschylus, on a cliff overlooking a coastal city. The city is built along the edge of a body of water, with ships sailing on the surface. A bird of prey flies overhead, symbolizing Aeschylus's death by a falling tortoise. The drawing is dated 1576-1606, a period during which Verhaecht produced detailed and finely rendered landscapes. This work showcases the artist's meticulous attention to detail and his skill in capturing the natural world with precision.