Artwork preview

Minerva Changing Arachne into a Spider

Jean Lepautre

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a woman reaching out to a sun and cloud motif while standing in a room. The drawing is detailed with hatching and cross-hatching for shading and texture. The woman in classical attire gestures towards a bright symbol that appears to be a sun surrounded by clouds or a large spider web in the upper portion of the artwork. She stands beside a table that supports additional objects. The room has architectural features like an open window revealing greenery outside. The artwork is enclosed within an ornate border featuring a repetitive leaf pattern.

Artwork Details

Date
published 1676
Medium
etching and engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
3650 × 3122 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original