De Nicaula ethiopum regina · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De Nicaula ethiopum regina
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Egypt; Jerusalem; Ethiopia
Description: This engraving depicts Nicaula, the queen of Ethiopia, on the left-hand side of the engraving shaking hands with king Solomon of Jerusalem. We know that these figures are Nicaula and Solomon as their names are engraved above their heads to identify them. Nicaula, as Boccaccio explains, was incredibly wise and wanted to hear and listen to the wisdom and intellect of Solomon. She had traveled from Ethiopia to Jerusalem to meet him. This engraving depicts their first meeting. Behind Nicaula is presumably one of her servants, who is carrying a tree. The tree was one of many gifts that Nicaula had given to Solomon.
Image Creator: Anonymous (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:11951
Language: lat
Source Name: De Claris Mulieribus
Parent Collection: 1473 Ulm; 1473 Ulm
Image: mta_11951_OBJ.jpg
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Nicaula; Solomon; Wisdom; Important Women