Plate119: The Death of Ajax (Aiax moretm Sibi consciscens, in florem abit), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'

Art Historical Context

Behold Plate 119 from Antonioesta's masterful series of etchings illustrating Ovid's *Metamorph* (1606), titled *The Death of Ajax (Aiax mortem Sibi conscisc, in florem abit. This poignant scene captures the tragic suicide of the Greek hero Ajax son of Telamon, classical mythology. After losing the contest for Achilles' armor to, Ajax falls into madness, slaughters a flock of sheep in rage, and ultimately impales himself on his sword Ovid describes his blood transforming into a flower inscribed with "AIAI," a lament echoing his name—a vivid emblem of metamorphosis and fleeting heroism. Italian artist Antonio Tempesta (1555–1630), a prolific Baroque printmaker, excelled in dynamic etchings like this one, blending intricate linework with dramatic energy. At just 3 15/16 × 4 9/16 inches, the small-scale etching allowed for widespread dissemination of classical tales during the early 17th century, when Renaissance humanists eagerly revived ancient lore. Tempesta's fluid technique—using acid to bite into metal plates—conveys Ajax's muscular torment and the soldiers surrounding him, evoking the raw intensity of battle and fate. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Elisha Whittelsey Collection, 1951), this print highlights etching's role in democratizing art. It invites us to ponder timeless themes of pride, loss, and transformation, bridging antiquity with the Baroque era's theatrical flair.

About the Artist

Antonio Tempesta · 1555–1630

Antonio Tempesta (1555–1630), known as 'Il Tempestino,' was a Florentine painter and printmaker whose extraordinary output of approximately 1,700 etchings made him one of the most influential printmakers of the early Baroque period. Born in Florence and trained under Santi di Tito and the Flemish master Joannes Stradanus, he enrolled in the Accademia del Disegno in 1576 before relocating to Rome i...