A Nightmare after 1573

"A Nightmare" is a black chalk drawing created by Melchior Bocksberger after 1573. The drawing is a depiction of a chaotic scene, filled with intertwining figures and animals. The figures, clad in armor and wielding weapons, appear to be engaged in a battle with monstrous creatures, both human and animal. Bocksberger, known for his masterful handling of chiaroscuro, creates a sense of depth and drama in the scene. The dynamic composition and expressive lines contribute to the eerie and unsettling atmosphere of the drawing, reflecting the anxieties of the time. This work is now held at The Art Institute of Chicago.