A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Antonio Tempesta depicting the mythological betrayal of King Nisus by his daughter, Scylla.

This etching by Antonio Tempesta depicts a dramatic moment from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Scylla, daughter of King Nisus, kneels before King Minos, offering him the severed head of her father. She betrayed her city of Megara to Minos, believing his love would be her reward. Instead, Minos recoils from her act of treachery. The composition captures the tension of the encounter, with Minos seated on a throne, gesturing in rejection, while Scylla remains in a posture of desperate supplication.

Tempesta, a prolific printmaker of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods, utilised a precise etching technique to define the figures and the architectural backdrop. The scene is framed by a tent structure, which provides a sense of theatricality to the narrative. The background features a fortified tower, referencing the setting of the siege of Megara. The Latin inscription at the base, 'Purpureum parentis capillum Minot offert Scylla', identifies the specific mythological episode, referring to the purple lock of hair that granted Nisus his power, which Scylla cut to ensure his defeat.

As a printmaker, Tempesta was known for his ability to condense complex literary narratives into single, readable images. His work often focused on classical themes, battles, and hunting scenes. This print demonstrates his command of line and shadow, which he used to create depth within the scene. The figures are rendered with a focus on gesture and expression, typical of the period's interest in human emotion and moral storytelling. This piece provides a clear example of the graphic arts during the early seventeenth century, where printmaking served as a primary medium for the dissemination of classical knowledge and artistic style across Europe.