Ein Helffenbeinin bildt zu einem Menschen

Title

Ein Helffenbeinin bildt zu einem Menschen

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Cyprus

Ancient Greece

Description

This engraving depicts the story of the famous sculptor, Pygmalion. Pygmalion decided to not take a wife, as he was disgusted by the actions of the Propoetides. The Propoetides were women who had performed human sacrifices and became the first prostitutes as punishment for their actions. Instead of being with a real woman, Pygmalion sculpted a woman out of ivory who was almost perfectly life-like. He is depicted caressing his sculpture on the right side of the engraving. During a festival dedicated to Venus, Pygmalion prayed at her altar asking for a woman like his ivory sculpture. He is depicted kneeling and praying to Venus in the background of the engraving at her altar. Venus fulfilled his request, and she transformed his statue into a real woman. Pygmalion is illustrated on the left side of the engraving in bed with his new wife.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:23195

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_23195_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Pygmalion

Propoetides

Transformation

Venus

Gods

Goddesses

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology