Salmacis und Hermaphroditus in einen Leib

Title

Salmacis und Hermaphroditus in einen Leib

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Ancient Greece

Halicarnassus

Description

This engraving illustrates the story of Hermaphroditus and Salmacis. Salmacis is a water nymph that occupies a pool of fresh water and falls in love with Hermaphroditus when he finds her pool. The pool is illustrated behind the pair who are depicted at the forefront of the engraving. Hermaphroditus is the son of Mercury and Venus, and the beauty of his appearance captivates the Naiad. She is overcome with passion and cannot restrain herself from pursuing Hermaphroditus despite his rejection of her. Salmacis, with her arms thrown around Hermaphroditus’ neck, asks the gods to never be separated from him. The gods oblige and merge their two bodies together, creating the first Hermaphrodite. They are depicted as one body in the background of the engraving standing in the pool.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:21619

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_21619_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Transformation

Gods

Goddesses

Salmacis

Hermaphroditus

Roman Mythology

Greek Mythology

Infatuation