Progne tödt iren Son Ityn

Title

Progne tödt iren Son Ityn

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Description

This engraving illustrates Philomela presenting the head of her nephew to her brother-in-law, Tereus. After being rescued by her sister Procne, Philomela and her sister conjured up a plan to seek revenge on Tereus for keeping Philomela captive and mutilating her. Procne decided to kill her own son and feed him to her husband, Tereus, to avenge her sister. Tereus is illustrated with his arm in the air in outrage as he just learned that he had eaten his son. Philomela is depicted holding the head of her nephew, Itys, to spite Tereus for what he had done to her. Procne and Philomela are also depicted in the background of the engraving killing Itys with a sword.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:22248

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_22248_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Abduction

Tereus

Procne

Philomela

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Mutilation