Circe drinkend
ca. 1520 - ca. 1550
Medium
chiaroscuro woodcut
Dimensions
203; 214
About this artwork
height 214 mm x width 203 mm
Art Historical Context
Behold *Circe Drinkend*, a captivating chiaroscuro woodcut by printmaker Antonio da Trento, created around 1520–1550. Measuring a modest 214 mm high by 203 mm wide, this intimate work depicts the mythical enchantress Circe, sorceress from Homer's *Odyssey* famous for brewing potions that transformed men into animals. Da Trento, active in early 16th-century Italy, drew from Renaissance fascination with classical mythology, bringing ancient tales to life through innovative print techniques. The chiaroscuro woodcut medium is a highlight here—using multiple woodblocks (typically one for tone and ...
About the Artist
Antonio da Trento · 1500–1560
Antonio da Trento (c. 1508–1550) was an Italian printmaker who specialized in chiaroscuro woodcuts, a sophisticated printing technique that used multiple woodblocks to create images with tonal depth and atmospheric effects. Working during the height of the Italian Renaissance, Antonio was one of a small group of master printmakers—including Ugo da Carpi, Niccolò Vicentino, and Nicolò Boldrini—who ...