Yole der tochter des Künigs von Aetholien · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: Yole der tochter des Künigs von Aetholien
Subject: Iole; Hercules; Gods; Roman Mythology; Important Women; Famous Women; Vengeance; Marriage
Period: 1500-1550;
Geographic: Ancient Greece; Aetolia
Description: This engraving depicts the marriage between Iole, daughter of King Eurytus of Aetolia, and Hercules. The right side of the engraving illustrates Hercules embracing Iole with affection. Iole is not reciprocating the embrace. Boccaccio explains that Iole is not in love with Hercules because he killed her father after he did not give Hercules permission to marry Iole. In order to seek her revenge on her husband for the murder of her father, Iole allowed Hercules to fall madly in love with her. By doing this, Iole was able to convince Hercules to do whatever she asked. She stripped him of his pride by getting him to dress as a woman and spin wool, which is depicted on the left side of the engraving. As Hercules is unrecognizable in the women’s clothing and indistinguishable from Iole.
Image Creator: Joerg Breu (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:18290
Language: ger
Source Name: Ein schöne Cronica oder Hystoribuch von den fürnämlichsten Weybern [A beautiful chronicle or history book of reputable women]
Parent Collection: 1543 Stayner
Image: mta_18290_OBJ.png