Biblis in einen Brunnen

Title

Biblis in einen Brunnen

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Anatolia

Ancient Greece

Description

After Byblis confessed her incestuous love for her twin brother Caunus, he fled the country to escape her approaches. She became so upset by his rejection that she traveled distant lands looking for him. As illustrated in the engraving, there were Lelegeian nymphs who had attempted to comfort Byblis and heal her broken heart. Overcome by grief, there was no end to Byblis’ tears. Her tears were so plentiful that they created a spring. The nymphs ended up transforming Byblis into a fountain to keep the spring flowing, and to help heal the broken-hearted Byblis.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:22976

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_22976_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Byblis

Caunus

Nymphs

Incest

Transformation

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology