Dood van Niobes kinderen 1651

"Dood van Niobes kinderen" (Death of Niobe's Children), an etching by Michel Dorigny created in 1651, depicts the tragic scene from Greek mythology where the goddess Leto's children, Apollo and Artemis, kill the children of Niobe in revenge for Niobe's hubris. The etching shows a dramatic composition with figures in various poses expressing grief and despair, as Apollo, seen in the upper sky, shoots his arrow. This etching captures the emotional intensity of the story, highlighting the devastating consequences of pride and the power of the gods. Dorigny’s meticulous detail and the use of chiaroscuro further enhance the dramatic impact of the work.