Grotesk ornament met Apollo op zijn zonnewagen in het midden 1609

This 1609 etching by Italian artist Antonio Tempesta, titled “Grotesk ornament met Apollo op zijn zonnewagen in het midden”, is a prime example of Mannerist style. Featuring the Roman god Apollo in his chariot surrounded by ornate grotesque ornamentation, the piece is characterized by a sense of asymmetry and exaggerated detail. The central image of Apollo in the chariot, surrounded by horses and radiating light, serves as a focal point, contrasting with the wild and fantastical details of the surrounding grotesque designs. This piece, currently held in the Rijksmuseum, demonstrates the influence of classical mythology and the popularity of the grotesque decorative style in early 17th-century art.