Peleus und Thetis

Title

Peleus und Thetis

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Thessaly

Ancient Greece

Haemonia

Description

This engraving illustrates Peleus, Jupiter’s grandson, physically forcing himself upon the sea-goddess named Thetis. Thetis is a shapeshifter and changed forms every time Peleus attempted his advances on her. Peleus eventually sought the help of the sea-god Proteus as she continuously rejected him. Proteus is illustrated in the water in the background of the engraving, with Peleus standing on land speaking to him. Proteus suggested to wait until Thetis falls asleep, and then tie her up and hold her tightly until her shape-shifting returns her to her normal form. This is illustrated in the foreground of the engraving, as Thetis is depicted with her head in human form and her body in the shape of an animal with a chain wrapped around her body. Peleus is illustrated with his arm around her. Thetis eventually gives birth to the mighty Achilles.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:23211

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_23211_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Peleus

Proteus

Rape

Gods

Goddesses

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Thetis