The Abduction of a Sabine Woman
c. 1598
Medium
Engraving on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Sheet (trimmed): 41.8 × 28.1 cm (16 1/2 × 11 1/8 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
268658
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Abduction of a Sabine Woman*, dynamic engraving by Dutch artist Jan Harmensz Muller, created around 1598. Muller, a master engraver active in the late Northern Renaissance, drew inspiration from classical mythology, depicting the dramatic Roman legend where warriors under Romulus seize Sabine women to secure Rome's future. This scene pulses with energy—twisting figures in mid-motion capture the chaos and tension of the myth, reflecting Mannerist tendencies toward elongated forms and emotional intensity that Muller honed during his time in Prague's imperial court. Crafted as an eng...
About the Artist
Jan Harmensz. Muller · 1571–1628
Comment on works: Printer and Draughtsman