Metra in mancherlen gestalt

Title

Metra in mancherlen gestalt

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Thessaly

Ancient Greece

Description

This engraving depicts the story of Mestra and her father, Erysichthon. Erysichthon was punished by Famine to have an endless hunger. He lost all his wealth to satisfy his hunger and cravings. When all was lost, he went so far as to sell his daughter. He is depicted in the centre of the image taking money from a man who had bought Mestra from him. Mestra is depicted on the right side of the image on top of a cliff looking down at the sea god, Neptune. She asks him for aid in return for him having stolen her virginity. Neptune helps her and offers her the gift of transforming herself into various animals. Once she is bought from the men that her father sold her to, she transforms herself in order to get away from them and get back to her father, only to repeat the process over again.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:22875

Language

ger

Source Name

P. Ouidij Nasonis, deß Sinnreichen und hochverstendigen Poeten, Metamorphoses oder Verwandlung, mit schönen figuren gezieret, auch kurzen Argumenten und außlegungen erkläret, und in Teutsche Reymen gebracht, durch Johann Spreng von Augspurg [Publius Ovidius Naso, the Ingenious and Highly Understandable Poet, Metamorphoses or Transformations, Adorned with Beautiful Images, and also descriptions of Short Arguments and Explanations, Brought into German Rhymes by Johann Spreng of Augsburg]

Parent Collection

1564 Frankfurt Spreng

Image

mta_22875_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Mestra

Erysichthon

Famine

Hunger

Transformation

Neptune

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Gods

Goddesses