Orpheus steigt in die Hell

Title

Orpheus steigt in die Hell

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Description

Pained by the death of his new bride, Orpheus was determined to get her back. With his lyre in hand, he travels to the Underworld to convince the lord of the Underworld and his wife, Proserpina, to let Eurydice finish living her life. Orpheus is illustrated in the center of the engraving, singing and playing his lyre to the lord and lady of the Underworld, who are sitting directly in front of him. Charon, the ferryman who carries the dead across the River Styx is illustrated in the background of the engraving in the water. Pluto and his wife were impressed with Orpheus and his lyre playing and singing abilities, and allows him to bring Eurydice back with him, so long as he does not look back to her while they travel out of the Underworld.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:22980

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_22980_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Eurydice

Orpheus

Pluto

Proserpina

Gods

Goddesses

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology