Auffopfferung Polyxenae

Title

Auffopfferung Polyxenae

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Thrace

Phrygia

Description

This engraving illustrates Polyxena, the daughter of King Priam of Troy, seconds away from being sacrificed. King Agamemnon, illustrated on the right side of the engraving with a crown on his head, was confronted by the ghost of Achilles who demanded a sacrifice in his honour. Agamemnon chose Polyxena as the sacrifice. Polyxena is illustrated on a table with her hands in front of her. She accepts her fate as a noble woman rather than being forcefully sacrificed as a slave. She asks the soldiers to give her body back to her mother so she can grieve for her. The soldiers who are onlookers to the sacrifice are depicted with their heads facing down as Polyxena’s words had moved them and they feel pity for her. The man who holds the sword is Neoptolemus, who also pities the young girl and regretfully sacrifices her.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:23233

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_23233_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Achilles

Polyxena

King Priam

Agamemnon

Sacrifice

Trojan War

Greek Mythology