Erichtonius wirdt in einen Korb verschlossen

Title

Erichtonius wirdt in einen Korb verschlossen

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Athens

Description

This image depicts the three daughters of Cecrops (a king of Ancient Athens) standing on the left side of the image. The daughter that is holding onto the woven basket in the illustration is named Aglauros, while behind her are her sisters Pandrosus and Herse. This basket contains a child that was born from the seed of the god Vulcan. The goddess Minerva had entrusted these three sisters to watch over the basket, swearing not to look at the contents inside. Aglauros, however, disobeyed the goddess and is illustrated holding the basket open, exposing the child named Erichthonius. Erichthonius is depicted as half human half serpent in this illustration which is why the women appear to be shocked. There is a crow that is overlooking the scene who is the one telling this story to a raven.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21054

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_21054_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Gods

Goddesses

Greek Mythology

Roman Mythology

Cecrops

Aglauros

Pandrosus

Vulcan

Minerva

Herse

Transformation