Acteon wirdt von sein Hunden zerrissen

Title

Acteon wirdt von sein Hunden zerrissen

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Thebes

Description

This engraving illustrates Actaeon in a transformed state of a stag being attacked by his own hunting hounds. Actaeon was transformed into a stag for gazing upon the goddess Diana whilst she was bathing. Actaeon was unable to command his hounds to stop due to his transformed state. The background of the engraving illustrates a group of soldiers riding on horses looking onto the scene of the dogs. These are the companions of Actaeon, and they are exploring the lands searching for him, unaware that he has been transformed and unaware that the hounds are killing him.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21248

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_21248_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Gods

Goddesses

Transformation

Actaeon

Diana

Hounds

Hounds

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology