Iphis das Meidlin in ein Mannsbild

Title

Iphis das Meidlin in ein Mannsbild

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Crete

Ancient Greece

Description

This engraving illustrates Telethusa and her daughter, Iphis, kneeling on the steps of an altar, praying to the Egyptian deity, Isis. Before Iphis was born, her father vowed to kill the child if she were to be born a girl. Isis had appeared to Telethusa in a dream and told her to keep the child no matter what. With the help of Isis, Iphis was disguised as a boy after being born to evade death. This engraving takes place when Iphis is set to marry a woman who is unaware that Iphis is a female. Telethusa and her daughter are praying to the goddess Isis once again for her help. Isis answers the prayers of the mother and daughter and she transforms Iphis into a man, so that she may marry her betrothed.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:22978

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_22978_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Telethusa

Iphis

Isis

Goddesses

Transformation

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology