Neptune Riding a Dolphin
Attributed to Peter Flötner German
The Roman sea god Neptune, identified by his three-pronged trident, straddles a dolphin swimming inland amid roiling waves. The marine scene, with additional dolphins and sailing boats, is enlivened by landscapes fortified with castles and towers along a central strait. Many artisans took inspiration from Flötner’s work, and references to his designs suffuse Northern Renaissance artworks in a wide range of materials. The artist was a key figure in adapting Italianesque styles to northern tastes.
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