Three Figures Including a Hermaphrodite

Art Historical Context

This intriguing engraving by René Boyvin, titled *Three Figures Including a Hermaphrodite*, showcases the artist’s skill in capturing complex figural within a compact format.vin, a Frenchmaker active in the sixteenth century, specialized in detailed reproductive engravings that helped spread designs from leading painters of his era. Though the exact date remains unknown, the work reflects the period’s fascination with mythological and allegorical subjects drawn from classical sources. As an engraving, the piece highlights the medium’s importance in Renaissance and early modern Europe. The technique allowed artists to create precise, repeatable images that could circulate widely among collectors and scholars, making art more accessible beyond painted originals. The small sheet size—just over six by five inches—suggests it was intended for intimate viewing, perhaps in a cabinet of curiosities or private study. The unusual subject, featuring a hermaphrodite among three figures, invites contemplation of themes like transformation and duality that resonated in art and literature of the time. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of prints and drawings, this work offers visitors a glimpse into how printmakers like Boyvin blended technical precision with imaginative content.

About the Artist

René Boyvin · 1525–1580

French, Angers ca. 1525–1598 or 1625/6 Angers