De Helena menelau regis coniuge · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De Helena menelau regis coniuge
Subject: Helen; Paris; The Trojan War; Greek Mythology; Important Women
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Ancient Greece; Asia Minor; Troy; Lacedaemon
Description: This engraving depicts prince Paris of Troy leaving the shores of Lacedaemon on a ship that contains queen Helen, wife of king Menelaus. Boccaccio explains that Paris had fallen in love with Helen while he was a guest in king Menelaus’ home. It is debated whether Helen’s feelings towards Paris were mutual and she willingly went with him, or if he had taken her by force. This image depicts Paris sitting on the right side of the ship (his name is engraved above his head), and Helen sitting on the left side (her name is also engraved above her head). Lacedaemon is illustrated on the left-side of the engraving, while the city of Troy is on the right side. The ship is pointing towards Troy as that is their destination. Paris and Helen going to Troy is the cause of one of the greatest wars of all time: The Trojan War.
Image Creator: Anonymous (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:11945
Language: lat
Source Name: De Claris Mulieribus
Parent Collection: 1473 Ulm; 1473 Ulm
Image: mta_11945_OBJ.png
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Helen; Paris; The Trojan War; Greek Mythology; Important Women