Satyr Family
Original title: Satyr Family
kurzbeschreibung
Albrecht Dürer produced an engraving titled Satyrfamilie in 1505. It depicts a forest landscape with a satyr, a woman, and an infant, rendered with precise linework.
Description
A woman with a nursing child on her lap occupies the center, while to the left a horned and antlered satyr blows a pipe. The woman wears only a fur, which accentuates her body's contours. The rear area is filled with meticulously engraved trees and shrubs, forming a dense forest backdrop. On a trunk, a small sign bears the year 1505. The layout feels balanced, with even lighting and no harsh shadows.
Context
The print was made during Dürer's second Italian journey (1505–1507), which took him to Venice. The motif draws on the Renaissance's widespread portrayal of satyrs, who in ancient mythology were companions of Dionysus. The familiar family scene combines mythological elements with a naturalistic rendering of the human body. The small format of only 11.4 × 7.1 cm suggests a work intended for collectors who prized such cabinet pieces.
Impact
The careful linework and calm arrangement create an idyllic, almost timeless mood. The combination of mythical figure and everyday nursing produces a peculiar intimacy that draws the viewer into the image.
Technique
Dürer used engraving, cutting lines into a copper plate with a burin. The very fine, parallel hatching is characteristic, creating modeling and depth. The uniform light and monochrome appearance result from this linear technique.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)