Amphion Building the Walls of Thebes 1595 - 1633

This drawing, by Giovanni Luigi Valesio, depicts Amphion building the walls of Thebes. Valesio used pen and brown ink on paper to create this Renaissance scene. The lines of the brickwork convey the weight and texture of the stone. Look at the way Valesio captured a sense of labor through the bricks that assemble themselves into a wall as Amphion plays his violin. There is an orderliness to the rising walls, the bricks stacked uniformly. We see the potential to create a safe, enclosed, civil space. The walls, with their linear precision, represent human effort and ingenuity. Valesio was also an engraver who likely understood the labor involved in the printing process. In this light, his drawing reflects the intersection of classical myth, architectural construction, and the skilled work required to create art. Appreciating the artistic work enables us to expand our understanding of fine art.