Title

Cygnus wirt von Achille erstecht

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Troy

Asia Minor

Ancient Greece

Description

This engraving illustrates the first battle between the Greeks and the Trojans in the Trojan War. Amidst the chaos and fighting happening in the engraving, there are two soldiers depicted as the focal point in the center of the image with both of their swords in the air. The two soldiers are Achilles and Cycnus. In the battle, Achilles attempts to throw his spear at Cycnus, but his spear bounces off Cycnus’ armour every time. Cycnus reveals that he is the son of Neptune and cannot be harmed. Achilles ends up choking Cycnus, but before he dies, Neptune transforms him into a swan.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:23222

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_23222_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Greeks

Trojans

Cycnus

Achilles

Neptune

Trojan War

Greek Mythology

Roman Mythology

Gods