Vulkan smeder våben til Æneas 1501 - 1515

This circular relief shows Vulkan forging weapons for Æneas. The composition is structured around a central axis, with Vulkan on the right and Æneas on the left, framing an angel bearing a shield in the middle. The densely packed figures, deeply carved, create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, drawing the eye across the surface. The use of the circle contains the narrative, focusing our attention on the mythological scene. The semiotic weight lies in the representation of power: Vulkan, the divine craftsman, shapes destiny, while Æneas, a mortal hero, is divinely supported to fulfill his destiny. The structure of this relief embodies a classical worldview, reflecting the cultural values of heroism, divine intervention, and the cyclical nature of fate. Note how the circular form reinforces the idea of completion.