Plaquette met Pan en Syrinx 1575 - 1600

This 16th-century plaque, created by Paulus Willemsz. van Vianen, depicts the myth of Pan and Syrinx. The high relief design, crafted in lead, shows the nymph Syrinx escaping the advances of the god Pan in a wooded landscape. The intricate detail and expressive figures are characteristic of Van Vianen’s style, a master of Renaissance Mannerism. This small-scale work, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to the enduring power of classical mythology and the artistry of the Dutch goldsmith.