Von Helena

Title

Von Helena

Subject

Famous Women

Important Queens

Helen

The Trojan War

Paris

Greek Mythology

Important Women

Period

1450-1500;

Geographic

Sparta

Troy

Asia Minor

Lacedaemon

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:17993

Language

ger

Source Name

Hyenach volget der kurcz syn von ettlichen frauen von denen johannes boccacius in latein beschriben hat und doctor heinricus stainhöwel geteütschet [Following the short stories of several women of which Giovanni Boccaccio wrote in Latin, and doctor Heinrich Steinhöwel translated]

Parent Collection

1473 Augsburg

Image

mta_17993_OBJ.png