De erithrea: si quier eriphila: una delas · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: De erithrea: si quier eriphila: una delas
Subject: Prophets; Erythraea; Sibyls; Roman Mythology; Greek Mythology; Jesus Christ; Important Women
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Mesopotamia; Troy; Babylon
Description: This engraving depicts the sibyl named Erythraea on the right side of the engraving with her fingers pointing to the man on the left side of the engraving. We know that this is the sibyl Erythraea as her name is engraved directly beside her body. The man she is pointing to is the son of God, Jesus. His name is engraved beside his head. Boccaccio explains that Erythraea was so intelligent that her prophecies were taken as Gospel rather than fortune-telling. She even foretold the entire events from the life and death of Jesus, which is why he is depicted in this engraving. Boccaccio explains that Erythraea had also foretold the fall of Troy, which is assumed to be the city in the background of the engraving. There is an unidentified man’s head engraved beside Jesus.
Image Creator: Anonymous (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:14491
Language: spa
Source Name: De Las Mujeres Ilustres [On Famous Women]
Parent Collection: 1494 Mujeres Ilustres
Image: mta_14491_OBJ.png