Menelaus met het lichaam van Patroclus c. 1557 - 1612

Diana Mantuana’s “Menelaus met het lichaam van Patroclus” (c. 1557-1612) is a detailed etching that depicts a scene from Homer’s Iliad. The artwork shows the Greek hero Menelaus holding the body of Patroclus, a close friend of Achilles, after he was killed by Hector during the Trojan War. The composition is dynamic and crowded, with numerous figures engaged in battle. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and volume, emphasizing the emotional intensity of the scene. This etching provides a powerful glimpse into the violence and grief of ancient warfare.