IJzeren eeuw 1573

"IJzeren eeuw" (Iron Age) is an engraving by Flemish artist Philips Galle, dating back to 1573. The print depicts a scene from Ovid’s *Metamorphoses*, portraying the Iron Age, the final and most degenerate age of humanity. The scene depicts a group of women being taken captive by a band of warriors. The composition is dominated by the figures in the foreground, while a distant city burns in the background. The engraving, now in the Rijksmuseum collection, exemplifies Galle’s mastery of detail and his ability to convey a sense of drama and emotion. The print would have been intended for a wider audience, serving as a visual interpretation of Ovid’s literary work.