Atalanta und Hippomenes

Title

Atalanta und Hippomenes

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Cyprus

Ancient Greece

Description

This engraving illustrates the footrace between Atalanta and Hippomenes. Atalanta was an incredibly fast runner and could beat any man who challenged her. She decided that she would host a running contest. The man to beat her in a race would win her as a prize, and whoever lost against her would die. A man named Hippomenes decided to race her, as he was taken with her beauty and athletic abilities. He prayed to the goddess Venus for help. Venus is illustrated in the background of the engraving coming out of the sky and handing golden apples to Hippomenes. The race is taking place in the fore-front of the engraving, with Hippomenes in first place. He uses the apples that Venus had given him to distract Atalanta. She is depicted running with her head turned looking at the apples that Hippomenes is throwing, causing her to slow down and come in second place.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:23200

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_23200_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Hippomenes

Venus

Atalanta

Gods

Goddesses

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology