Neptunus und Apollo

Title

Neptunus und Apollo

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Troy

Sigeum

Ancient Greece

Description

This engraving illustrates the gods Apollo and Neptune in human form on the left side of the engraving with tools in their hands. There are big stones at their feet as they help build the walls of the soon-to-be city, Troy. The trident of Neptune and the lyre of Apollo are resting on the stones beside them. There is a man illustrated in the foreground on the right side of the engraving facing the two gods. This is King Laomedon, who had promised Apollo and Neptune a sum of gold in return for their help to build the walls of Troy. King Laomedon, however, does not keep his word and fails to provide the gods with their payment. Upset by this, Neptune causes a great flood which destroys the country’s crops. To further the punishment, Neptune orders that King Laomedon’s daughter, Hesione, will be tied to a rock and fed to a sea-monster. Hesione is illustrated in the background of the engraving, tied to the rock whilst being rescued by Hercules.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:23210

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_23210_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Neptune

Apollo

King Laomedon

Hesione

Gods

Goddesses

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology