Pluto

Pluto, ruler of the underworld in ancient Greco-Roman mythology, appears here as a muscle-bound giant overseeing his fiery realm. Figures in the distance are souls being judged and the urn at right stands for the four rivers of Hades. Goltzius’s monumental presentation of the god from behind draws upon his intensive study of ancient sculpture that had been excavated and exhibited recently in Rome, particularly the Farnese Hercules, which likely was a model for Pluto’s powerful physique. Goltzius created this chiaroscuro print in several different color combinations, using a separate woodblock for each color. The green and yellowish tones in this example add sharpness to the design and heighten the visual effect of the formidable subject.