Faun Attacking a Snake
School of Andrea Mantegna
c. 1500
Medium
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
29.2 × 18.3 cm (11 1/2 × 7 1/4 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
23985
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This engraving reproduces a pen-and-ink drawing by Andrea Mantegna, now preserved in the British Museum and dated to the period 1480/85. Because of the inscription, the subject has at times been identified as Hercules slaying the Hydra, but the pointed ears of the figure identify him as a faun. The inscription may actually refer to Ercole d'Este, Duke of Ferrara.