Pyramus en Thisbe c. 1550 - 1650

"Pyramus en Thisbe" is an etching depicting a scene from the classic tale of Pyramus and Thisbe, a tragic love story from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The etching, dating from the 16th or 17th century, shows Thisbe lying dead on the ground while Pyramus, horrified by the sight, raises his sword. In the background, a distant city is visible, suggesting the lovers’ thwarted desires, a common theme in Roman literature and art. This work, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the artistic sensibilities of the time, capturing both the drama of the narrative and the beauty of the natural world.