The Rule of Mars [right panel]

Albrecht Altdorfer, c. 1535

The artwork depicts a scene with a central figure and multiple other figures. The central figure, positioned at the top, is seated with legs bent and arms spread, holding a sword in one hand and a torch in the other. He wears a short tunic with a breastplate, and his head is surrounded by a glowing halo. Below, a large group of nude figures is engaged in various interactions, adorned with greenery and necklaces. They fill the lower portion of the image. The background features a cloudy sky with a sunlit halo effect around the central figure, and architectural elements like domes and columns are visible in the distance. The overall color palette is muted with earth tones and soft lighting.
Artist
Albrecht Altdorfer
Date
c. 1535
Type
Painting
Medium
oil on hardboard transferred from panel
Dimensions
39 × 15.7 cm
Collection
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Licence
Public domain, CC0

Image description

The artwork depicts a scene with a central figure and multiple other figures. The central figure, positioned at the top, is seated with legs bent and arms spread, holding a sword in one hand and a torch in the other. He wears a short tunic with a breastplate, and his head is surrounded by a glowing halo. Below, a large group of nude figures is engaged in various interactions, adorned with greenery and necklaces. They fill the lower portion of the image. The background features a cloudy sky with a sunlit halo effect around the central figure, and architectural elements like domes and columns are visible in the distance. The overall color palette is muted with earth tones and soft lighting.

Albrecht Altdorfer