De Erithrea seu Eriphila sibilla · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De Erithrea seu Eriphila sibilla
Subject: Sibyls; Erythraea; Roman Mythology; Greek Mythology; Jesus Christ; Prophets
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Mesopotamia; Babylon
Description: This engraving depicts the sibyl named Erythraea on the left-hand side of the engraving with her left hand facing upwards and her right fingers pointing to the man on the right side of the engraving. We know that this is the sibyl Erythraea as her name is engraved directly beside her body. The man she is pointing to is the son of God, Jesus. His name is engraved beside his head. Boccaccio explains that Erythraea was so intellectual that her prophecies were taken as Gospel rather than fortune-telling. She even prophesized the entire events from the life and death of Jesus, which is why he is depicted in this engraving. Boccaccio explains that Erythraea had also prophesized the fall of Troy, which is assumed to be the city in the background of the engraving. There is an unidentified man’s head engraved beside Jesus.
Image Creator: Anonymous (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:11918
Language: lat
Source Name: De Claris Mulieribus
Parent Collection: 1473 Ulm; 1473 Ulm
Image: mta_11918_OBJ.jpg
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Sibyls; Erythraea; Roman Mythology; Greek Mythology; Jesus Christ; Prophets