[GANYMEDES, POLYPHEMUS & GALATEA]

This superb engraving shows sections from Carracci’s famous designs for the Galerie Farnese in Rome. In the top panel, Ganymede is carried aloft by an eagle. Below, in the main panel, the furious cyclops, Polyphemus, hurls rocks after he has been tricked by Odysseus. The panels are flanked by various figures and putti. The figure on the left of centre is probably the sea nymph, Galatea mentioned in the Latin text below the print. Theocritus the Sicilian Greek poet, wrote two poems set in the time before the Odysseus legend, telling of how Polyphemus fell in love with Galatea.

A crisp clean impression. Fine condition.