Empedocles, standing frontally with his head turned in three-quarter view, directs his gaze toward a flame (the crater of Mount Aetna?) emerging from a horizontal ground line, a walking stick leans toward the right margin 1545 - 1563

This engraving of Empedocles was created by René Boyvin, a French printmaker who lived in the 16th century. The composition is dominated by the figure of Empedocles, who stands tall, his gaze directed towards a flame emerging from the ground. Boyvin masterfully uses line to define form and texture. The dense, parallel lines create shading and volume, giving depth to Empedocles' figure and drapery. The directional lines draw our eyes to the flame, and then upwards to the radiant light, suggesting a connection between earthly and divine realms. The contrast between the solid figure and the ethereal flame creates a visual tension. The walking stick leaning against the right margin adds a sense of instability, which is reinforced by the philosopher's precarious stance near the volcanic fire. This use of form and line destabilizes the traditional view of philosophers as paragons of reason. The print invites us to reconsider the relationship between knowledge, passion, and the unknown.