Achilles and the daughters of Lycomedes
Original title: Achilles and the daughters of Lycomedes
kurzbeschreibung
This engraving by Nicolaes Ryckmans, made around 1620–26, depicts a Greek legend: Odysseus discovers Achilles, dressed as a girl, among the king's daughters. The paper impression has been trimmed and measures 47 × 36.1 cm.
Description
An interior with columns and an arch frames a group of figures. In the foreground, a woman sits with a sword, leaning toward a kneeling companion who gazes into a mirror. Other figures stand around them, their expressions shifting between attentiveness, surprise, and concern. The garments are rendered richly and precisely, suggesting a mythical or historical subject. The arrangement feels ordered: the main figure at the center, the others distributed around her.
Context
In the first half of the seventeenth century, Dutch art frequently took up mythological themes. Nicolaes Ryckmans, a Flemish engraver from Antwerp, was known for his detailed reproductions. The scene follows the story in which Odysseus exposes Achilles by presenting him with weapons, while the women look at jewelry. Such moments of cunning and revelation were often depicted in Baroque art.
Impact
Although the moment carries a dramatic revelation, the print conveys calm and balance. The symmetrical layout and even distribution of light create clarity; the precise linework brings out every detail. The figures' gazes draw the viewer into the event, allowing them to share the tension of the moment.
Technique
For this engraving, lines were incised into a copper plate and then transferred to paper with printing ink. Fine hatching creates nuanced gray tones and renders figures and garments in detail. The even lighting is characteristic of the process, which allows for controlled and accurate reproduction.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)