Apollo on Mount Parnassus

Etienne Delaune after Niccolò dell' Abate

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a group of mythical creatures gathered in a forest setting. The scene depicts figures, some playing musical instruments. There is a central figure seated on a rock playing a stringed instrument. Surrounding this central figure are other figures holding tambourines and books. A mystical animal is positioned in the background. The woodland surrounds the scene, implying a secluded location for this assembly. The style suggests it is a detailed work reflecting Renaissance influences, with intricate etching and cross-hatching techniques providing depth and texture.