Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Pan Teaching the Young Olympus to Play the Flute 1535 - 1585

This anonymous etching depicts a scene from Roman mythology, featuring Pan, the god of the wild, teaching the young Olympus to play the flute. Dated between 1535 and 1585, the piece showcases the artist's skilled use of line and shadow to convey the figures' anatomy and the dramatic light emanating from an unseen source. The composition is visually dynamic, with Pan's half-goat form creating a striking contrast against the youthful Olympus. This print, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, exemplifies the enduring fascination with classical mythology in Renaissance art.