Plate 7: The Flood (Diluvium.), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' 1606

Antonio Tempesta created this etching, 'The Flood,' sometime in the late 16th or early 17th century, illustrating a scene from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'. The composition is a whirlwind of action. Sweeping diagonal lines formed by the surging water create a sense of chaos. Look closely at how Tempesta uses dense, dark lines to depict the tumultuous sky, contrasting with lighter, more delicate lines to show figures struggling in the water. This contrast amplifies the scene's drama. The etching technique itself, with its precise yet expressive lines, mirrors the broader artistic concerns of the time, exploring themes of human struggle against nature. The scene challenges notions of order and control, reflecting a world overwhelmed by forces beyond human mastery. Notice how the formal elements of line and composition work together to convey not just a narrative, but a deeper meditation on the precariousness of existence. This print invites us to reflect on the enduring power of art to explore humanity’s relationship with the unpredictable forces that shape our world.