A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Antonio Tempesta depicting a scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses, showing the personification of Famine.

This etching by Antonio Tempesta depicts a scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses, specifically the moment Ceres' nymph commands Famine to afflict Erysichthon. Tempesta, a Florentine artist known for his prolific output of prints, demonstrates his mastery of the etching needle through the dynamic, swirling clouds and the skeletal, emaciated figure of Famine. The composition is organised around the central figure of the nymph, who travels in a chariot drawn by dragons, a visual shorthand for the supernatural nature of the task.

The print is part of a larger series illustrating Ovid's epic poem. Tempesta's style reflects the late Mannerist period, characterised by elongated figures and a sense of restless energy. The background shows a secondary scene where Famine enters the chamber of the sleeping Erysichthon, creating a narrative sequence within a single frame. The cross-hatching and fine line work provide texture to the billowing clouds and the gaunt anatomy of the personified Famine.

As a printmaker, Tempesta was highly influential in the dissemination of classical themes across Europe. His ability to condense complex mythological narratives into compact, readable compositions made his work popular among collectors and artists alike. This piece is a fine example of his technical precision and his capacity to render dramatic, often grotesque, subject matter with clarity and vigour. The inclusion of the Latin inscription at the base, 'Infatiabili fame Erisichtonem torquet Fames', provides the necessary context for the viewer to identify the specific literary source. The work remains a clear representation of early seventeenth-century printmaking, where the focus was on narrative storytelling through controlled, rhythmic line work.