Gevecht tussen tritons met nereïden op hun rug is a dynamic and forceful print by the influential Italian Renaissance master, Andrea Mantegna, dating from approximately 1473-1477. Executed on paper, this work is recognized as a profound example of quattrocento engraving, characterized by crisp, powerful lines used to define form.
The imagery depicts a mythological sea battle, focused primarily on muscular Tritons grappling and battling, many carrying Nereids clinging to their backs. The composition is highly kinetic, featuring nude figures struggling amid waves and surrounded by fantastical marine elements, reflecting Mantegna's deep interest in classical antiquity and mythological themes.
Mantegna himself is credited with being one of the first major painters in Italy to embrace the production of prints as original works of art, treating the medium with the same gravity as painting. The engraving technique, characterized by precise parallel and cross-hatching lines, allows for the muscular definition and high contrast that gives the composition its powerful, sculptural three-dimensionality. The dramatic intensity and detailed rendering of the human form evident in this piece reflects Mantegna's profound study of Roman sculpture and architecture. This historically significant example of Renaissance graphic art is often recognized as being within the public domain, allowing for wider accessibility and academic study, and is proudly housed in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
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