The Death of Adonis
1535–55
Medium
Etching
Dimensions
Sheet (trimmed): 11 5/8 × 9 15/16 in. (29.5 × 25.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1949
Accession Number
49.95.167
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Death of Adonis a poignant etching from 1535–55, to Luca Penni and Mignon, two masters of the Fontainebleau School. This print captures a dramatic moment from classical mythology: the tragic death of Adonis, handsome youth beloved by Venus, slain by a wild boar. Surrounded by Cupid, mournful figures, and lush trees, the scene evokes profound sorrow and the fragility of beauty, themes central to Renaissance storytelling. Crafted during the Mannerist era at the French royal court, the work reflects the elegant, elongated forms and intricate compositions popularized by artists like R...
About the Artist
Luca Penni|Jean Mignon · 1500–1557
Comment on works: Religious