Sibyl 1530 - 1576

Lambert Suavius created this engraving of a Sibyl in the mid-16th century, a time when the rediscovery of classical antiquity shaped art and culture in Europe. Sibyls, female figures from Greek and Roman tradition, were believed to possess prophetic abilities. Here, the artist presents the Sibyl in the guise of a classical statue, referencing the cultural authority of the antique world. The setting is architectural, and her clothing is draped in classical style. Suavius worked in Liege, now in Belgium, a city that, during the 16th century, was undergoing a cultural transformation. Northern European artists were becoming increasingly interested in Italian Renaissance art. Engravings like this one served as important tools for circulating the new aesthetic ideas. Understanding this work involves looking at its place within the history of printmaking, the artist’s sources of inspiration, and the cultural values it embodies.