Hero en Leander 1591 - 1679

"Hero en Leander", a 17th-century etching by an anonymous artist, depicts a dramatic scene from the Greek myth of Hero and Leander. The print, held at the Rijksmuseum, showcases the landscape with a focus on the city in the background, featuring buildings and a bridge. The foreground shows a woman standing on a rocky outcrop, possibly representing Hero, with a turbulent sea and a distant figure in the distance, potentially Leander. This etching is a fine example of the use of chiaroscuro, creating a sense of depth and drama. The inscription, likely a quote from Ovid’s “Hero and Leander”, adds further context to the artwork.