Orpheus wirt von Bacchis erwürget

Title

Orpheus wirt von Bacchis erwürget

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Mount Rhodope

Ancient Greece

Description

This engraving illustrates the horrific death of Orpheus. Orpheus is illustrated sitting by a tree on the left-hand side of the engraving playing his lyre whilst surrounded by the animals who listen to him. Orpheus is being approached by the Maenads (also known as the Bacchantes), a frenzied group of women who worship the god Bacchus. They first attack the animals that surround Orpheus and tear them to pieces. Then they attacked Orpheus by throwing stones and spears at him until he bled. Just like the animals, the Maenads end up tearing Orpheus to pieces.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:23203

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_23203_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Bacchus

Gods

Goddesses

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Orpheus

Maenads

Bacchantes