Plate119: The Death of Ajax (Aiax moretm Sibi consciscens, in florem abit), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' 1606

Antonio Tempesta created this print, 'The Death of Ajax' from Ovid's Metamorphoses, using etching. The scene is dominated by the figure of Ajax, rendered with dynamic lines that convey motion and a sense of tragic purpose. The stark contrast between the foreground and the detailed background landscape creates a visual tension, reflecting the internal turmoil of the subject. Tempesta uses line and form to explore themes of transformation and tragedy. The composition, with its emphasis on diagonal lines, draws the eye to the central event of Ajax's suicide, then to the delicate flowers blooming from the ground. This transformation from man to flower is not just a narrative element, but a visual metaphor. The flowers become a signifier for the themes of mortality, rebirth, and the complex interplay between nature and human fate. Ultimately, Tempesta uses the formal elements of line and composition to transform the scene into a study of metamorphosis. Here, the etching’s visual elements function aesthetically and serve as a gateway to the narrative's deeper cultural and philosophical significance.