The Sarcophagus
Medium
Etching; first state of two (Robert-Dumesnil)
Dimensions
sheet: 4 15/16 x 5 7/8 in. (12.6 x 15 cm) plate: 4 1/2 x 5 7/16 in. (11.5 x 13.8 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1928
Accession Number
28.91.6
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created in 1640, *The Sarcophagus* is a delicate etching by Laurent de La Hyre, with Herman Weyen likely responsible for the printmaking process. Measuring just under five by six inches, this small-scale work captures the quiet grandeur of an ancient stone coffin, reflecting the 17th-century fascination with classical antiquity. As a first-state impression, it offers a rare glimpse into the early stages of the print’s development. La Hyre, a leading figure in the French classical tradition, often drew inspiration from Roman and Greek motifs during the reign of Louis XIII. Etching allowed arti...
About the Artist
Herman Weyen|Laurent de La Hyre (Flemish|French) · 1600 |1602 –1672 |1676
Flemish, died Paris, 1672|French, Tours 1602/04–1676 Paris