Heauton Timouroumenos, from "The Comedies of Terence", 19th century reprint

Heauton Timouroumenos, from "The Comedies of Terence", 19th century reprint by Albrecht Dürer, is a significant example of early modern graphic art, reissued centuries after its initial creation. While the piece is technically a 19th-century woodcut reprint, the imagery originates from the late 15th and early 16th century, representing Dürer's profound contributions to printmaking during the German Renaissance. The work is classified as a print, utilizing the highly skilled woodcut medium. This technique, characterized by strong lines and deep contrasts, allowed Dürer to disseminate complex compositions and classical narratives to a wide European audience, revolutionizing the visual culture of the era.

This specific image illustrates a scene from the Roman play Heauton Timorumenos (The Self-Tormentor), penned by the ancient playwright Terence. As a dramatic illustration, the composition focuses on the interaction between several figures (men) captured in a moment of narrative tension or conflict. Dürer’s masterful delineation captures both the theatrical setting and the detailed drapery of the figures. Notably, the illustration includes specific elements such as swords, emphasizing the potential for confrontation or highlighting the militaristic status of some of the central characters relevant to Terence’s original text.

The artistic integrity and historical importance of Dürer’s illustrations ensure their continued prominence in academic study and art appreciation. This example of the master’s work is held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Because of its age and history of publication, the imagery of this classic Renaissance print is frequently accessed by researchers and the public today as a valuable resource found in public domain collections.