Pentheus von Bacchus zerrissen

Title

Pentheus von Bacchus zerrissen

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Thebes

Description

This engraving illustrates the Bacchantes, frenzied women who worship the god Bacchus, seconds away from ripping Pentheus apart. Pentheus, the prince of Thebes, disrespected Bacchus by not believing in him and did not want to participate in the festival held in his honour. Pentheus’ punishment for his hubris was to be murdered by his own mother and two aunts. The woman in the engraving who is holding onto Pentheus’ head is his mother, Agave, who will rip his head off his body. The other two women are his aunts Ino and Autonoë, who will rip his arms off. The city in the background represents the city of Thebes.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21327

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_21327_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Bacchantes

Pentheus

Bacchus

Dionysus

Gods

Murder

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology