Neptune falling in love with Medusa (?)
Engraving, part of a set of 12 small, oval prints of varied subjects, representing scenes of Ancient Roman history or mythology, created by Étienne Delaune before 1573. This print depicts three women, the first wearing a crown, kneeling on the right side of the print, in front of an altar with a small fire, in the center, behind which stands a statue of Minerva. Flying above the three woman is Cupid, armed with his bow and arrow, pointing towards a king, standing on the right, wearing a crown and holding a trident in his hands. It is likely that the subject of this print is Neptune (wearing his crown and carrying his trident) falling in love with Medusa (wearing the crown, on the right), in a temple consecrated to Minerva. According to the myth, Neptune and Medusa came together in a temple of Minerva, an event that triggered Minerva's anger against Gorgon. The two other women might be Medusa's sisters, Stheno and Euryale. The composition in this print is very similar to another print in the series, likely depicting Pasiphae falling in love with a bull.
Artwork Details
- Title: Neptune falling in love with Medusa (?)
- Artist: Etienne Delaune (French, Orléans 1518/19–1583 Strasbourg)
- Date: before 1573
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed): 1 5/16 × 1 5/8 in. (3.3 × 4.2 cm)
- Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1947
- Object Number: 47.139.54
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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