Temptation, plate four from A Life 1884

"Temptation," the fourth plate from Max Klinger's 1884 portfolio *A Life*, depicts a fantastical scene of a couple embracing while riding on a winged creature against a dark background. This dynamic, symbolic artwork, housed in The Art Institute of Chicago, exemplifies the Symbolist style and explores the complexities of human relationships, love, and desire through a blend of reality and fantasy. The artist's mastery of etching and aquatint techniques bring a rich textural quality to the figures, adding a further dimension to the piece.