Cecrops' Daughters Uncover Erichthonius (recto); A Battle Scene (verso) c. 1577 - 1578

This drawing of 'Cecrops' Daughters Uncover Erichthonius' was made by Anthonie Blocklandt in the late 16th century. The monochromatic sepia ink creates a softly modeled scene. Three nude figures dominate the composition, arranged in a tight triangular formation that draws the eye to the center, where they unveil the infant Erichthonius. Blocklandt uses the female nude to explore classical mythology. However, he is not just illustrating a story but also engaging with the artistic and philosophical concerns of his time. The artist's precise linear style and attention to the anatomical form of the figures reflects a Humanist interest in classical aesthetics. The way Blocklandt uses the composition and the expressive poses of the figures, invites us to consider the nature of knowledge, secrecy, and revelation, themes prevalent in Renaissance thought. The work asks us to consider how the artist uses line and form to investigate intellectual and artistic ideals.