The abduction of Helen; battle scene on a shore with two men pulling Helen into a boat at center and another man pulling on her drapery in the opposite direction 1520 - 1527

Marco Dente's "The Abduction of Helen" is an etching from the early 16th century. It depicts the dramatic moment when Helen, a queen known for her beauty, is being forcefully taken away from her home. The scene unfolds on a rocky shore, with a group of men struggling to pull her onto a boat. Her drapery is being pulled by another man, highlighting the desperate resistance to her abduction. Dente's skillful use of line and shading creates a sense of movement and chaos, making the viewer feel as though they are part of the struggle. The etching, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a compelling representation of a pivotal moment in Greek mythology.