The Fall Of Icarus. Genuine antique print for sale.

48.5 x 32 cm (19.1 x 12.6 inches).

The Fall Of Icarus

This spectacular baroque engraving is from Bernard Picart's Le Temple Des Muses.

The engraving was made in 1733, is from the first edition and is an original antique. It has captions in French, English, German, and Dutch.

It is in very good condition for its age.

In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of master craftsman Daedalus. They try to escape from Crete using wings that Daedalus made from feathers and wax. Daedalus warns Icarus to fly neither too low nor too high, to avoid the sea soaking his wings or the sun melting them. Icarus ignores him and flies too close to the sun. His wings melt and he falls into the sea and drowns. The myth gave rise to the advice "don't fly too close to the sun". In this dramatic engraving by Bernard Picart, Icarus plunges to the sea, while his father flies on. The ornate border includes a sun face and peacock.

© Fine Rare Prints