Phaethontis fall

Title

Phaethontis fall

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Delphi

Description

This engraving illustrates the chaos that Phaethon has created by ill-advisedly driving the chariot of his father, the sun god Phoebus. Phoebus had warned him that the horses were difficult to control and advised him to fly in between the skies and the earth at a happy medium. Phaethon, however, did not listen. Phaethon panicked as he got too close to the skies and accidentally let go of the reins. Once the horses felt the reins loosened, they flew off course and ran around unchecked. As the horses ran off, they caused a great fire everywhere they went. As seen in the engraving, the horses are illustrated in all different positions to signify the chaos of their course. Jupiter saw the world being engulfed by flames and came to the rescue. Jupiter is depicted in the engraving in the top right corner with a thunderbolt in his hand as he is about to throw it at Phaethon to end him and the madness. Phaethon is depicted falling head-first out of the chariot.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21048

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_21048_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Chaos

Gods

Goddesses

Chariot

Demi Gods

Greek Mythology

Roman Mythology