Pan en Hermaphroditus 1570 - 1609

This etching, "Pan en Hermaphroditus," by Annibale Carracci (1560-1609) depicts the Greek god Pan, a creature of the wild, seated beside Hermaphroditus, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, who plays a lyre. This small print, housed in the Rijksmuseum, highlights Carracci's mastery of detail and his ability to convey the contrasting personalities of these mythological figures through their postures and expressions. The dramatic composition and use of light and shadow create a sense of tension, while the depiction of the gods in a natural setting emphasizes their connection to the physical world.