Aglauros in einen Stein

Title

Aglauros in einen Stein

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Athens

Description

This image illustrates the messenger god Mercury depicted with his winged helmet and ankles and carrying his caduceus. He is standing over the body of Aglauros, one of the three daughters of King Cecrops. Herse is one of Aglauros’ sisters, and she is illustrated on the far right of the engraving looking out the window of her bed chamber. Mercury is trying to get to Herse, but Aglauros is standing in the way by laying on the ground in front of the entrance. Aglauros is jealous of Mercury’s attraction to her sister and she denies Mercury entry to Herse’s room. Mercury gets frustrated with Aglauros’ attempts to deny him access to Herse, so he turns her into stone.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21168

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_21168_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Transformation

Gods

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Jealousy

Mercury

Aglauros

Herse

King Cecrops