De yoles: reyna de etolia · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De yoles: reyna de etolia
Subject: Famous Women; Important Queens; Iole; Hercules; Marriage; Vengeance; Roman Mythology; Greek Mythology; Important Women
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Ancient Greece; Aetolia
Description: This engraving depicts the marriage between Iole, daughter of King Eurytus of Aetolia, and Hercules. The right side of the engraving illustrates Hercules wrapped around Iole with a look of pure affection on his face. Iole is pictured not reciprocating the embrace. We know that these figures are Iole and Hercules as their names are engraved beside their bodies. Boccaccio explains that Iole is not in love with Hercules because he killed her father after he did not give Hercules permission to marry Iole. In order to seek her revenge on her husband for the murder of her father, Iole allowed Hercules to fall madly in love with her. By doing this, Iole was able to convince Hercules to do whatever she asked. She stripped him of his pride by getting him to dress as a woman and spin wool, which is depicted on the left side of the engraving. As Hercules is unrecognizable in women’s clothing, the creator engraved Hercules’ name above his head to differentiate between him and Iole.
Image Creator: Anonymous (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:14493
Language: spa
Source Name: De Las Mujeres Ilustres [On Famous Women]
Parent Collection: 1494 Mujeres Ilustres; 1494 Mujeres Ilustres
Image: mta_14493_OBJ.png
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Famous Women; Important Queens; Iole; Hercules; Marriage; Vengeance; Roman Mythology; Greek Mythology; Important Women

Media: mta_14493_OBJ.png