Atlas in een berg veranderd 1731

"Atlas in een berg veranderd" (Atlas Transformed into a Mountain), an etching created in 1731 by Dutch artist Bernard Picart (1673-1733), depicts the Titan Atlas, condemned to eternally bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. The dramatic composition, featuring a muscular Atlas straining against the celestial weight, highlights the weight of his burden. The image is set against a backdrop of a star-filled night sky, emphasizing the vastness of the cosmos. The work, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a fine example of 18th-century Dutch engraving, showcasing Picart's skill in capturing both the mythological theme and the intricate detail of the scene.