Leucothea in ein Weyrauchstauden

Title

Leucothea in ein Weyrauchstauden

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Assyria

Description

This engraving illustrates the sun god, Phoebus, having sexual intercourse with Leucothoë, the daughter of Orchamus, king of Assyria. The goddess Venus had cursed Phoebus to fall madly in love with Leucothoë as a punishment for humiliating her. Phoebus had disguised himself as Leucothoë’s mother and commanded the slaves to leave the room. The slaves are illustrated in the background of the engraving through a doorway. Once the god was alone with Leucothoë, he showed her his true godly form and proceeded to have sex with her. Phoebus’ is the also the god of archery and his bow and arrows are depicted lying on the ground on the left side of the engraving. Leucothoë is depicted lying on her bed topless with Phoebus kissing her. The god is difficult to see in the image as he is directly behind a column. Leucothoë’s father had her buried alive after her encounter with Phoebus. She subsequently transformed into an incense plant while underground.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21618

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_21618_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Gods

Goddesses

Phoebus

Apollo

Leucothoë

Venus

Transformation

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Rape