{"product_id":"proserpina-turning-ascalaphus-into-an-owl-antonio-tempesta","title":"Proserpina Turning Ascalaphus into an Owl - Antonio Tempesta","description":"\u003cp\u003eA detailed seventeenth-century etching by Antonio Tempesta depicting the mythological transformation of Ascalaphus into an owl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis etching by Antonio Tempesta depicts a moment from Ovid's Metamorphoses, specifically the transformation of Ascalaphus into an owl by the goddess Proserpina. Tempesta, a Florentine artist known for his prolific output in printmaking, captures the narrative with the clarity and dramatic flair characteristic of the early seventeenth-century Italian style. The composition is balanced, placing Proserpina on the left, her gesture of command directed toward the figure of Ascalaphus, who is shown in the process of metamorphosis on the right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe etching technique employs fine, hatched lines to create shadow and form, providing a sense of volume to the figures and the surrounding rocky terrain. The background features a stylised, swirling atmosphere that suggests the underworld or a supernatural setting, typical of the period's approach to mythological storytelling. The inclusion of the Latin inscription at the base, 'Ascalaphus a Proserpina in bubonem mutatur', confirms the subject matter and aligns with the educational and decorative function of such print series during the era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTempesta's work is noted for its technical precision and ability to condense complex literary narratives into a single, readable image. The figures are rendered with a focus on anatomical proportion and expressive gesture, reflecting the influence of Mannerist training while moving toward the more dynamic sensibilities of the Baroque. This print serves as a fine example of the intersection between classical literature and visual art in the early modern period, offering a window into how artists of the time interpreted ancient myths for a contemporary audience. The print is presented here with the crisp detail of the original copperplate, preserving the texture and character of the artist's line work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Antonio Tempesta","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58718949736783,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58718973165903,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58718973198671,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58718973231439,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58718973264207,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58718973296975,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58718973329743,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58718973362511,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58718973395279,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58718973428047,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58718973460815,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58718973493583,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Proserpina-Turning-Ascalaphus-into-an-Owl_Poster_CompositorV1_1788914894095.jpg?v=1788915380","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/proserpina-turning-ascalaphus-into-an-owl-antonio-tempesta","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}