Satyr's Family

Master of 1515

National Gallery of Art

This image shows mythological figures in a natural setting. There is a satyr beside a female figure, possibly a nymph, who is holding a child with goat-like legs. The satyr is playing a pan flute. They are seated against a tree surrounded by tall grasses and cattails, suggesting a marshy or riverbank location. At the bottom, another childlike figure resembling a faun is leaning over a basin or bowl, possibly interacting with the water. The intricate use of line work with detailed cross-hatching defines the figures and the natural background. The drawing portrays a peaceful, pastoral scene typical of mythological depictions from the Renaissance period.