The story of Jason and Medea at the left she carries off her son, in the middle she is shown in her madness, Jason stands at the right

Art Historical Context

Step into the dramatic world of classical myth with Giulio Bonasone's engraving *The Story of Jason and Medea*, created between 1531 and 1576. This 16th-century Italian printmaster captures pivotal moments from the tragic tale of the Argonaut hero Jason and his sorceress lover Medea, drawing from ancient sources like Euripides play *Medea*. Measuring 8 11/16 x 12 5/8 inches, the sheet-sized work exemplifies Renaissance printmaking's power to distill epic narratives into intimate, reproducible art. On the left, Medea flees with her son in a desperate act of vengeance; in the center, her madness unfolds in raw emotional turmoil; and at right, Jason stands resolute amid the chaos. Mythical creatures heighten the scene's otherworldly tension, blending human drama with supernatural forces. Bonasone's precise engraving technique—incising lines into a metal plate for inked impressions—allowed intricate details and tonal depth, making complex myths accessible to collectors across Europe. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Georgiana W. Sargent, 1924), this piece reflects the era's fascination with antiquity, bridging ancient lore and Mannerist expressiveness for timeless appeal.

About the Artist

Giulio Bonasone · 1500–1600

Comment on works: History; Mythology