The Sacrifice of Iphigenia c. 1670s

Giovanni Andrea Carlone made this drawing, The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, using pen and brown ink with brown wash on paper. The composition is dynamic, arranged in a pyramidal structure, drawing our eyes upwards from the foreground figures to the floating deities above. Carlone's use of hatching and cross-hatching creates tonal variations that suggest depth and volume, enhancing the emotional intensity of the scene. The grid-like structure underneath is evident in the drawing, and could have been used as a planning device. The artist skillfully captures the figures' emotional states through their gestures and expressions. This intense drama suggests a semiotic system in place, where gestures and symbols carry specific cultural meanings. The visual representation challenges fixed meanings, pushing us to question the relationship between sacrifice, divine intervention, and human suffering. The open-ended nature invites viewers to explore their own interpretations, emphasizing that art is not about fixed answers but continuous dialogues.