Theseus vangt de stier van Marathon 1794

"Theseus vangt de stier van Marathon" (Theseus Captures the Bull of Marathon), a 1794 engraving by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki (1726-1801) now in the Rijksmuseum, depicts the Greek hero Theseus subduing a monstrous bull. This scene, a central episode from Greek mythology, showcases Theseus's bravery and strength. The engraving's detailed depiction of the characters and the city setting, including the imposing architecture of the background, speaks to the importance of classical mythology within European culture of the 18th century. The dramatic composition and the use of light and shade contribute to the scene's dynamism and the artist's skilled rendering of the human form.