Erisichton hauwet einen Eichbaum umb

Title

Erisichton hauwet einen Eichbaum umb

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Thessaly

Ancient Greece

Description

Erysichthon is depicted in this engraving holding an axe in his hands, swinging it against a giant oak tree that is sacred to the goddess Ceres. An impious man, Erysichthon commanded his companions to also cut down the tree, and when they rejected his command, he cut off the head of one of his peers. The decapitated man is illustrated by the feet of Erysichthon. While Erysichthon continues to chop down the sacred tree, blood begins to pour out of the tree trunk. A nymph which lived inside the tree warns Erysichthon that if he continues to cut down the tree, death will soon find him. Despite the warning, Erysichthon continues swinging his axe against the oak tree.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:22842

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_22842_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Erysichthon

Gods

Goddesses

Hubris

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology