A satyr reclining at the foot of a staute of Priapus, goats at the right 1640 - 1650

"A Satyr Reclining at the Foot of a Statue of Priapus, Goats at the Right" is an etching by Italian artist Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (known as Il Grechetto) from the 17th century. This work, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a fine example of Castiglione's mastery of etching, a technique popular during the Baroque period. The artist uses delicate lines to depict a satyr lounging at the base of a statue of Priapus, the Roman god of fertility. The scene is set in a lush landscape with goats in the foreground and a distant village hinting at the presence of human civilization. This print is a captivating blend of mythological imagery and naturalistic details, showcasing Castiglione's exceptional talent for capturing the beauty of the natural world.