Arethusa in einen Brunnen

Title

Arethusa in einen Brunnen

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Achaea

Ancient Greece

Description

This engraving illustrates the nymph Arethusa running away from her pursuer, Alpheus. Arethusa was bathing naked in a river when the river god Alpheus had called out and declared his love for her. Arethusa panicked and ran away as fast as she could with Alpheus chasing after her. They ran over vast distances, and Arethusa was beginning to slow down due to fatigue. She called out to the goddess Diana for protection. Diana was moved by Arethusa and granted her safety by producing a cloud of mist which made Arethusa invisible to Alpheus. Arethusa is depicted within a large cloud in the centre of the image. Alpheus is depicted chasing the cloud on the right side of the image and Diana is illustrated on the left side holding her hand up to Arethusa.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21883

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_21883_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Gods

Goddesses

Arethusa

Alpheus

Diana

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Nymphs