Alpheus and Arethusa 1568 - 1570

Battista di Domenico Lorenzi’s “Alpheus and Arethusa” (1568-1570) depicts a scene from Greek mythology where the river god Alpheus pursues the nymph Arethusa. The marble sculpture captures the dramatic moment where Arethusa, with her drapery billowing, tries to escape her pursuer. The dynamic pose, the intense gazes, and the detailed anatomical rendering contribute to the dramatic realism and the sense of movement, hallmark characteristics of Mannerist art. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, this sculpture showcases the artist’s skill in depicting mythological narratives with a high degree of artistry and emotional impact.