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This is a drawing of a scene involving a bull and multiple human figures. The artwork depicts several figures engaged in various activities around a bull. The central figure is grasping the bull's head, while another is pulling on a rope wrapped around the bull's neck. A small dog stands on its hind legs, interacting with one of the figures, while an additional figure is seated to the side. Various elements around the figures suggest a classical theme, reinforced by draped garments and the bull itself. The detailed line work and shading bring a sense of depth and dimension to the figures and animals, contributing to the intense and active composition.
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This is a drawing of a scene involving a bull and multiple human figures. The artwork depicts several figures engaged in various activities around a bull. The central figure is grasping the bull's head, while another is pulling on a rope wrapped around the bull's neck. A small dog stands on its hind legs, interacting with one of the figures, while an additional figure is seated to the side. Various elements around the figures suggest a classical theme, reinforced by draped garments and the bull itself. The detailed line work and shading bring a sense of depth and dimension to the figures and animals, contributing to the intense and active composition.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Amphion and Zethus Tying Dirce to a Wild Bull

Diana Scultori, after the Antique

Date
1581
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 40.01 × 27.62 cm (15 3/4 × 10 7/8 in.), trimmed within platemark
Classification
Print
Accession number
2022.63.1
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record
Provenance

Dr. Pietro Malenza, Verona [died 1866] (Lugt 2101), 1852. (C. G. Boerner LLC, NY); purchased 2021 by NGA.

Inscription

lower left in image: DIANA MANTVA IN / CIDEBAT ROMAE 1581; lower center in plate: INGENEM. DIRCEM QVAM SPECTAS MARMORE AB VNO / SCVLPSIT TAVRISIVS QVONDAM ET APOLLONIVS / DEINDE ADVECTA RHODO EST ET PRIMV CODITA IN AEDE / POLLIO QVAM ROMAE STVXERAT ASINVS / THERMARVM INDE ATNONI INTER MONVMETA REPOSTA / AT NVNC FARNESI PATRIS IN AEDE SITA EST; lower center in plate: Claudii Duchetti formis; by later hand in graphite, upper left verso: vue Cab. Cicognara / N. 1302; by later hand in graphite, lower left verso: Pr Epreuve magnifique / 100 francs / Première Epreuve / very rare / L 3.10.0 / Le Taureau Farnese / Bartsch XV. No 37

Marks

Dr. Pietro Malenza, Verona [died 1866] (Lugt 2101)

NGA object ID 224168. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.