Recto: Diana Resting with Her Hounds; Verso: Flora Seated by a Vase with Two Harks on the Ground, after Jost Amman

Art Historical Context

This exquisite double-sided drawing, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, showcases the mythological grace of two classical goddesses. On the recto, Diana, the Roman huntress, rests languidly with her loyal hounds at her side, capturing a moment of poised repose amid the wilderness. Flipping to the verso,, goddess of flowers and spring, sits elegantly beside a ornate vase, with two hares playfully at her feet—symbols of fertility and abundance. Created by Hermann Weyer after the renowned 16th-century Swiss-German artist Jost Amman, the work spans circa 1607 (verso) to 1615 (recto). Amman, a master of intricate woodcuts and book illustrations during the Renaissance, influenced Weyer's precise penwork. The recto employs black ink with subtle gray (olive) wash for depth and modeling, while the verso uses economical gray ink lines, highlighting the era's Northern European draftsmanship valued for its clarity and narrative detail. At just 7 5/16 x 6 3/16 inches, these intimate sheets reflect the tradition of preparatory studies or collector's copies. Such works underscore the enduring fascination with classical mythology in early 17th-century Europe, blending humanism and naturalism. Acquired through the David Tunick Gift in 1995, this piece invites visitors to appreciate how artists like Weyer preserved Amman's legacy, evoking the hunt's thrill and spring's renewal in delicate, enduring lines.