Orpheus spielt mit der Harpssen

Title

Orpheus spielt mit der Harpssen

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Description

The scene that this engraving depicts takes place just after Orpheus had tried rescuing his wife, Eurydice, from the Underworld. Orpheus was meant to travel out of the Underworld without looking back to check that Eurydice was following him. He did, however, look back at Eurydice and she vanished, never to return from death. Grieved by his mistake, and angered with the Gods, Orpheus finds himself on the side of Mount Rhodope where he spent three years singing and playing his lyre for the animals and trees to enjoy. The engraving illustrates the many types of animals and trees flocking to hear the sound of Orpheus’ soulful music.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:22981

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_22981_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Orpheus

Eurydice

Music

Lyre

Gods

Goddesses

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology