The Forge of Vulcan
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
Sheet (Trimmed): 14 in. × 18 5/16 in. (35.5 × 46.5 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1953
Accession Number
53.600.4817(1)
About this artwork
This prints titled "The Forge of Vulcan" by Johann Friedrich Greuter|Giovanni Lanfranco dates to 1620–47. Executed in engraving, this work exemplifies the craftsmanship associated with Drawings and Prints. The piece demonstrates the technical skill and artistic vision characteristic of its period. The work's presence in a major museum collection attests to its significance in the broader narrative of art history. As part of institutional holdings, it serves both scholarly research and public edu...
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Forge of Vulcan*, captivating engraving from 1620–47, attributed toaver Johann Friedrich Greuter a design by the Baroque Giovanni Lanfranco. mythological scene depicts Vulcan, Roman god of fire and metalworking, at his bustling forge amid cyclopes hammering divine weapons—a nod to classical tales from Ovid's *Metamorphoses*. Measuring 14 × 18 5/16 inches (trimmed), the print's generous scale allowed for intricate details that bring the infernal workshop to life. Crafted in the Baroque era, when dramatic light, dynamic compositions, and grandeur reigned, this work showcases engravi...
About the Artist
Johann Friedrich Greuter|Giovanni Lanfranco (Italian|German) · 1582 |1590 –1647 |1662
Italian, Parma 1582–1647 Rome|German, active Rome, ca. 1590/93–1662