Satan, Sin and Death from Milton's Paradise Lost, Etching, Late 17th Century, Etching

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Etching on paper, realized as illustration for John Milton's "Paradise Lost". Striking and theatrically composed Old Master print depicting a … Read more Etching on paper, realized as illustration for John Milton's "Paradise Lost". Striking and theatrically composed Old Master print depicting a dramatic allegorical confrontation between a heroic winged figure and a skeletal embodiment of Death, set within a monumental architectural interior populated by fantastical beings and grotesque creatures. The composition is animated by richly imagined demonic and mythological elements, including harpy-like figures suspended above the scene, serpentine monsters emerging from the shadows, and a skeletal archer advancing toward the central protagonist. Executed with remarkable precision, the engraving displays refined linear work and dense cross-hatching characteristic of seventeenth-century Italian printmaking. The central figure, clad in classical armor and shown in a moment of dynamic tension, recalls the expressive Mannerist and early Baroque traditions, while the surrounding grotesques evoke the fantastical inventions associated with late Renaissance allegorical imagery. Strong chiaroscuro effects heighten the psychological drama and create a powerful sense of depth within the architectural setting. The print demonstrates excellent technical control, particularly in the rendering of musculature, drapery, and the atmospheric tonal gradations achieved through fine engraved linework. The elaborate iconography suggests themes of virtue confronting mortality, temptation, or infernal forces. Condition: Minor age toning and scattered foxing visible primarily in the margins; otherwise well preserved with strong impressions and clear plate definition. Presented within a later mat. See less