Aristoteles en Phyllis (Campaspe) 1545 - 1546

This engraving of Aristotle and Phyllis, made by Georg Pencz around 1531, presents a tale of intellect undermined by love. Pencz utilizes a stark contrast of light and shadow, typical of engraving, to highlight the dramatic tension between the figures. Phyllis dominates the composition, her form a diagonal sweep from her raised arm, wielding a whip, down to the cowering figure of Aristotle beneath her. This strong diagonal creates a dynamic sense of movement and power. Aristotle is reduced to a horizontal line, emphasizing his subjugated state. The artist employs a dense network of fine lines to create texture and depth, particularly evident in the rendering of the foliage and the crumbling architecture in the background. Pencz's focus on the interplay of lines and forms serves to underscore the narrative's themes of power, gender, and the subversion of intellectual authority. The composition, therefore, acts not merely as illustration but as a complex commentary on the human condition, inviting viewers to consider the inherent instability of established hierarchies.