Laöcoon 1540 - 1545

Nicolò Boldrini's "Laöcoon" (1540-1545) is a masterful engraving depicting the Greek myth of Laöcoon, a Trojan priest, and his sons being attacked by sea serpents sent by the gods. Boldrini expertly captures the agony and struggle of the figures, emphasizing the powerful serpentine forms that coil and bind them. The composition is striking in its dynamism and detailed rendering, highlighting Boldrini's skill as a printmaker and his mastery of the Renaissance artistic style. This print is now a part of The Art Institute of Chicago's collection.