Semele wirt im beyschlaff Jouis umbgebracht

Title

Semele wirt im beyschlaff Jouis umbgebracht

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Thebes

Description

This engraving illustrates Semele, the daughter of Cadmus (founder of Thebes), being engulfed by the flames of Jupiter. She was unknowingly tricked by Juno into asking Jupiter to show his true godly form to her. Juno did this out of jealously, as she had found out that Semele was pregnant with a child from the seed of Jupiter. Semele followed the advice and requested Jupiter to show her his true form. Jupiter reluctantly did this, knowing it would incinerate her. The engraving shows the flames and storms that Jupiter’s full form unleashes unto Semele. Jupiter is depicted on the left-hand side of the engraving with his crown to signify his status as king of the gods. Once Semele was destroyed, Jupiter had taken the unborn child out of her womb in order to save him. He is illustrated with the child in his arms. He eventually sews the child into his thigh for him to finish developing. This child will become Bacchus, the god of wine and theatre.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21249

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_21249_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Gods

Goddesses

Transformation

Destruction

Jealousy

Jupiter

Semele

Juno

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology