Putto rijdend op zeepaard c. 1580 - 1610

Giovanni Andrea Maglioli created this small print of a putto riding a seahorse, using etching. Notice how the artist masterfully uses line and form to create a dynamic sense of movement. The composition centers on the diagonal thrust of the seahorse, balanced by the putto’s reclining posture. This arrangement generates a visual tension, a lively push and pull, which animates the scene. Consider, too, the texture achieved through etching. The density of lines varies, creating areas of light and shadow that sculpt the figures, giving them volume and depth. The use of hatching and cross-hatching, especially on the seahorse’s body and the putto’s skin, enhances the tactile quality of the image, inviting us to imagine the smoothness of skin against the scales of the creature. Finally, note how the swirling tail of the seahorse acts as a visual anchor, grounding the composition even as it contributes to the overall sense of fluidity and transformation. The artwork invites a reading where form and content merge, reflecting an interest in the interplay between the real and the fantastical.