War: Bellona sits on a trophy of arms (La Guerre: Bellone assise sur un trophée d'armes)
1575
Medium
Etching
Dimensions
Plate: 2 3/8 × 3 1/4 in. (6.1 × 8.2 cm) Sheet: 2 5/8 × 3 3/8 in. (6.7 × 8.6 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011
Accession Number
2012.136.194
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the turbulent landscape of 16th-century France, marked by the Wars of Religion Etienne Delaune's etching *War: Bellona sits on trophy of arms* (5) captures the ferocity of conflict through allegory. Bellona, the Roman goddess war—often depicted as a fierce counterpart to Mars—thrones triumphantly atop a heap of captured weapons and trophies, symbolizing victory amid chaos. small-scale print (plate: 2 3/8 × 3 1/4 in.) reflects the era's fascination with classical mythology to comment on contemporary strife, blending French Mannerist elegance with emblematic power. Delaune, a prolific Parisi...
About the Artist
Etienne Delaune · 1514–1583
Comment on works: Draftsman; Engraver; Medalist