Acteon in einen Hirschen

Title

Acteon in einen Hirschen

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Thebes

Description

This engraving depicts Actaeon, the grandson of Cadmus, wandering through the forest after hunting with his dogs who are illustrated at his feet. While walking through the forest, Actaeon stumbled upon Gargaphie, a place sacred to the goddess Diana. Diana is illustrated in the bathing pool on the left side of the engraving surrounded by her nymphs who were helping her bathe. Diana and the nymphs have a look of surprise on their face as they notice that Actaeon was watching. To punish Actaeon for gazing upon her naked, Diana throws the water on his face which transforms him into a stag. The water is illustrated spraying onto him as Actaeon is mid-transformation.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21247

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_21247_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Gods

Goddesses

Transformation

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Diana

Actaeon

Nymphs