The Fall of Phaeton 1570 - 1617

Hendrick Goltzius created this drawing, 'The Fall of Phaeton,' with pen and brown ink, and brown wash during the late 16th century. It depicts the dramatic climax of the classical myth, where Phaeton, son of the sun god, loses control of his father's chariot, causing chaos across the earth. Produced in the Netherlands, this drawing reflects the era's fascination with classical antiquity and the moral lessons it offered. The scene is a potent visual metaphor, cautioning against hubris and unchecked ambition, themes that resonated in a society grappling with its own rapidly expanding power and global reach. Goltzius emphasizes the social disruption following Phaeton's fall from grace. To understand this work fully, we might explore emblem books and contemporary literature that interpreted classical myths, as well as consult the archival records of artistic patronage. The drawing encourages us to reflect on art's capacity to embody and critique the social values of its time.