Gevecht tussen satyrs rijdend op hippocampussen en oude vrouw als personificatie van afgunst staand op rug van draak

Andrea Mantegna’s dynamic print, Gevecht tussen satyrs rijdend op hippocampussen en oude vrouw als personificatie van afgunst staand op rug van draak, executed between 1473 and 1477, is a pivotal example of early Renaissance printmaking on paper. This composition is distinguished by its intense, muscular rendering of classical mythology, typical of Mantegna's archaeological style. The dense arrangement illustrates a chaotic, dramatic struggle centered on nude satyrs mounted on fantastical hippocampi, fierce mythical creatures of the sea.

The dramatic action contrasts sharply with the allegorical figure presented prominently in the foreground: an old woman, representing the personification of Envy (Afgunst), who stands precariously upon a menacing dragon. This striking juxtaposition of mythological combat with complex moral allegory provides insight into the intellectual concerns prevalent during the High Renaissance era, where classical forms were used to convey moral lessons. Mantegna’s sharp, sculptural lines define the figures with extraordinary precision, giving the forms the permanence and texture of carved relief.

As one of the earliest and most influential figures in Italian printmaking, Mantegna developed an artistic language that profoundly influenced subsequent generations of artists in Northern Italy. This powerful work demonstrates the artist's deep dedication to classical sources and his skill in disseminating complex images through multiple editions of his highly sought-after prints. The historical significance of Gevecht tussen satyrs rijdend op hippocampussen en oude vrouw als personificatie van afgunst staand op rug van draak ensures its continued study. This particular impression is held within the esteemed collection of the Rijksmuseum, cementing its status as an important public domain representation of Italian Renaissance mastery.