Jason Arrives at Colchis (Enfin parvint jusqu'en Colchis Jason...), from "Jason and the Golden Fleece"

Art Historical Context

In 1563, French engraver René Boyvin after designs by Flemish artist Leonard Thiry, *Jason Arrives at Col (Enfin parvint jusqu'en Col Jason...)*, a captivating engraving from the series *Jason and the Goldenleece*. This print the heroic moment from ancient Greek mythology when Jason and his Argonauts reach the kingdom of Colchis, to the fabled Golden Fleece by King Aeëtes. Measuring 6 5/16 × 9 3/16 inches on the plate, it exemplifies the intricate detail possible in Renaissance printmaking. Engravings like this one were revolutionary in the 16th century, allowing widespread dissemination of elaborate classical narratives through affordable, reproducible images. Boyvin's precise burin work on the copper plate captures dramatic seascapes, towering ships, and bustling figures, reflecting the era's fascination with antiquity amid the humanist revival. Produced during the height of Fontainebleau Mannerism—influenced by Italian masters like Rosso Fiorentino and Primaticcio—this piece bridged painting and print, making epic tales accessible to collectors and scholars across Europe. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Herbert Mitchell, 2008), it invites visitors to ponder Jason's perilous quest, a timeless symbol of ambition and adventure rendered in enduring lines.

About the Artist

René Boyvin|Leonard Thiry · 1525–1580

French, Angers ca. 1525–1598 or 1625/6 Angers