Proserpina
1588-90
Hendrick Goltzius was a Dutch virtuoso who could draw lines so perfect they looked like copper engravings, and this oval masterpiece is a prime example of his 'engraving-style' drawings. We see Proserpina, the goddess of spring and the underworld, striking a dramatic, twisted pose typical of the Mannerist style—her body elongated and reaching up as if trying to escape the earth. She is surrounded by a bounty of fruit, a nod to the famous myth where eating pomegranate seeds bound her to the underworld for half the year, effectively creating the seasons. The artist uses bold, dark hatching against a warm, golden background to create a sense of volume and drama that feels almost sculptural.
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