De Helena: hija del rey Tindaro · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De Helena: hija del rey Tindaro
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Lacedaemon; Troy; Sparta; Asia Minor; Ancient Greece
Description: This engraving depicts prince Paris of Troy leaving the shores of Lacedaemon on a ship that carries 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 left side of the ship (his name is engraved above his head), and Helen sitting on the right side (her name is also engraved above her head). Lacedaemon is illustrated on the right side of the engraving, while the city of Troy is on the left 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:16661
Language: spa
Source Name: De Las Mujeres Ilustres [On Famous Women]
Parent Collection: 1494 Mujeres Ilustres; 1494 Mujeres Ilustres
Image: mta_16661_OBJ.png
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Famous Women; Helen; Important Queens; The Trojan War; Paris; Greek Legends; Important Women