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Georg Pencz

Artemisia

c. 1539
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
19.7 × 13.7 cm (7.8 × 5.4 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Queen Artemisia II of ancient Caria (died 350 B.C.) was renowned throughout history as a devoted spouse. In Georg Pencz’s engraving, she drinks the ashes of her husband, Mausolus, which she has mixed with wine, in order to turn her body into his living tomb. Artemisia ruled in her husband’s stead for two years, during which time she built a magnificent building at Halicarnassus (now Bodrum, Turkey) to house their combined remains. Although the structure, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, has been lost, the word mausoleum still reflects the grandeur of Artemisia’s monument to Mausolus.

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More by Georg Pencz

The Seige of CarthageThe Seige of CarthageThe Triumph of Death on Time, from The Triumph of PetrarchThe Triumph of Death on Time, from The Triumph of PetrarchThe Life of Jesus Christ: The Descent of the Holy GhostThe Life of Jesus Christ: The Descent of the Holy GhostThe Triumph of Death on Time, from The Triumph of PetrarchThe Triumph of Death on Time, from The Triumph of PetrarchThe Triumph of Death, plate five from The Triumphs of PetrarchThe Triumph of Death, plate five from The Triumphs of PetrarTarquinius Rapes Lucretia, from Scenes from Roman HistoryTarquinius Rapes Lucretia, from Scenes from Roman HistorySuicide of Lucretia, from "Scenes from Roman History"Suicide of Lucretia, from "Scenes from Roman History"Christ Sleeping During the Storm on Lake Tiberias, from The Story of ChristChrist Sleeping During the Storm on Lake Tiberias, from The

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