Plate 148: Aesculapius Speaking to the Romans (Epidauro a Romanis AEsculapius ad urbis luem discutiendam sollicitatur), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' 1606

Antonio Tempesta's "Plate 148: Aesculapius Speaking to the Romans (Epidauro a Romanis AEsculapius ad urbis luem discutiendam sollicitatur), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'" (1606) is an engraving that depicts the Roman delegation requesting the help of Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, to cure a plague in Rome. Aesculapius, holding his signature staff with a serpent coiled around it, is shown gesturing towards a distant cityscape of Rome. The dramatic scene, with its emphasis on the figures' gestures and expressions, evokes the urgency of the situation. Tempesta, a prolific Italian artist, is best known for his detailed and expressive engravings. This print, part of a larger series, showcases the artist's mastery of the medium.