Neptune rising from the sea and bearing a staff, accompanied by two horse-headed sea creatures, reverse copy after a series of engravings by Cherubino Alberti of mythological scenes after Polidoro da Caravaggio 1550 - 1600

This engraving shows Neptune rising from the sea accompanied by two horse-headed sea creatures. It’s a reverse copy after a series of engravings by Cherubino Alberti of mythological scenes after Polidoro da Caravaggio. The image gives us a glimpse into the Renaissance fascination with classical mythology. Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, emerges, a symbol of power and command over the marine world. The fact that this engraving is a copy reminds us that during this period, art was often disseminated through reproductions, allowing for a wider audience to engage with classical themes. Consider the identities at play here, the artist referencing classical sources, recreating figures that embody strength and authority. What does it mean to represent such figures? How did these classical narratives reinforce or challenge the social hierarchies of the time? The waves at the bottom of the composition evoke the emotional turbulence of the sea. This artwork opens up discussions about the relationship between the past and the present, the dynamics of power, and the endurance of mythological narratives.