The Fall of Icarus 1650 - 1700

Giuseppe Diamantini made this etching, The Fall of Icarus, in Italy in the late 17th century. It depicts the moment when Icarus, having flown too close to the sun, plummets from the sky as his father, Daedalus, looks on in horror. What does this famous mythological scene tell us about its cultural moment? We might see this image as a commentary on the overreach of ambition. The classical myth of Icarus had a resurgence in popularity during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, becoming a symbol of hubris and the dangers of unchecked power. At this time, powerful families dominated Venetian politics. Diamantini dedicated this print to a member of the Venetian Senate. This image may warn the ruling class of the Republic of Venice about the consequences of excessive ambition. By studying the social and institutional context, we can discover the complex meanings embedded in this seemingly straightforward mythological scene.