The Battle between the Gods and the Giants

c. 1608

The victory of the Olympic gods over the ancient race of giants was a perfect subject for Wtewael to showcase exaggerated athletic poses and striking contrasts of space and light. Painted on copper, this small work almost appears gem-like. Wtewael's self-conscious display of skills was a hallmark of the international style known as Mannerism, which was fashionable in Holland around 1600.

Public domain · CC0
Free to download and reuse. Image courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.

Artist

Joachim Antonisz. Wtewael (Dutch, c. 1566–1638)

Date

c. 1608

Medium

Oil on copper

Dimensions

15.6 × 20.3 cm (6 1/8 × 8 in.); Framed: 24.1 × 27.3 × 3.5 cm (9 1/2 × 10 3/4 × 1 3/8 in.)

Origin

Netherlands

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

Through prior acquisition of the George F. Harding Fund