Thereus schneit Philomela die Zungen ab

Title

Thereus schneit Philomela die Zungen ab

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Thebes

Ancient Greece

Thrace

Description

This engraving depicts Tereus, a Thracian prince, cutting off the tongue of his sister-in-law, Philomela. Tereus was overcome by lust when he had first set eyes on his sister-in-law, and instead of bringing her to his wife as she had requested, he tied her up in a cabin in the woods and kept her to himself. When Philomela declared she would scream and yell for everyone to hear her until she was found, Tereus decided to cut her tongue out so that no one would find her. Tereus is depicted holding a sword up to Philomela’s face and Philomela’s arms are depicted behind her back as her hands are bound.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:22030

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_22030_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Abduction

Tereus

Procne

Philomela

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Mutilation

Lust