Harpij in ornamenten 1715

"Harpij in ornamenten" is an etching by Bernard Picart, a prominent Dutch artist of the 18th century. The intricate design features a Harpy, a mythical creature with the head and torso of a woman and the body of a bird, surrounded by swirling, serpentine foliage. The dramatic composition and detailed ornamentation are characteristic of the Rococo style, which favored asymmetrical, flowing forms and decorative elements. This etching, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a fine example of Picart's masterful skills in capturing both the beauty and the terror of classical mythology.