Aeneas en zijn metgezellen vechten met de Harpijen 1663

This print, made by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli, probably in the late 17th century, depicts a scene from Virgil’s Aeneid. It’s made using etching, a printmaking technique in which acid is used to bite lines into a metal plate. The fine, precise lines made possible by this process lend themselves beautifully to the depiction of complex scenes, filled with figures and dramatic action. What’s most striking about the print is its dynamism. Mitelli masterfully captures the chaos of the moment as Aeneas and his companions battle the harpy-like creatures. The figures are rendered with incredible detail, from the soldiers' armor to the contorted bodies of the harpies, their faces frozen in expressions of rage and terror. Prints like this played a crucial role in disseminating stories and images during the early modern period. The etching process allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction, making art accessible to a wider audience. In this way, it allowed the stories of antiquity to be told and re-told, thus bringing them into popular culture. And while this print may not be unique, the craftmanship and the process of creation contribute to its cultural significance.