Design for an oval hand mirror: Medea rejuvenating Pelias
Engraving with an ornamental design for the back of an oval-shaped hand mirror, representing in its main scene Medea rejuvenating Pelias, framed by a variety of ornamental subjects. In the main scene, Medea rides a chariot, flying across the sky, pulled by two dragons and, below her, one of the daughters of Pelias (or even Medea herself), submerging her father in a cauldron.
Enclosing the scene and the mirror is an ornamental frame with a succession of the seven planets, personified by female figures, surrounded by gemstones, strapwork, bundles of flowers, leaves, and fruits, and scrolling motifs. On the summit of the mirror is the Sun, figured by a woman sitting on a shell-shaped throne, endowed with the attributes of Apollo: a lyra on her right hand and a bow on the left, wearing a laurel crown, and two lions by her side. To her right is Mars, represented by a reclined woman in profile, with the attributes of Mars: a helmet, a javelin and a shield, and accompanied by a ram. Below her, flanking the side of the central scene, is Jupiter, represented by a woman, sitting on a scroll, with the attributes of the planer: a scepter and lightning, and two fish, representing Piscis. Diagonally-below her is Saturn, personified by a sitting woman in profile view, with a scythe and a skull, with Capricorn behind her. She is separated by a grotesque motif from another woman sitting in profile, who represents the moon, with the attributes of Diana: her right hand lifting a crescent moon and, behind her, a lobster, representing Cancer. Above her, directly across Jupiter, is Mercury, represented by a woman, sitting on a scroll, holding the caduceus typically associated with the god, as well as an open book; at her feet are the twins, representing Gemini, attribute of the planet. Finally, diagonally above her is Venus, represented by a reclined woman holding a torch on her hand, and accompanied by Cupid; at her feet is a bull, symbol of Taurus.
The lower part of the frame, marked by a grotesque, is flanked by the handle of the mirror, made up of a column, flanked by scrolling motifs, and large stones. The bottom of the handle contains a ring, possibly to facilitate the storage of the mirror, allowing it to be hung from the walls in a boudoir.
The type of framing in this design for a mirror was very popular during the 16th century in Europe and, in the case of this print by Delaune, it seems to have been directly influenced by the work of Jean Cousin. Mirrors of this kind were often produced in silver and, in exceptional cases, in gold, with the use of gems, semi-precious stones, or colored glass to add color to the designs.
Enclosing the scene and the mirror is an ornamental frame with a succession of the seven planets, personified by female figures, surrounded by gemstones, strapwork, bundles of flowers, leaves, and fruits, and scrolling motifs. On the summit of the mirror is the Sun, figured by a woman sitting on a shell-shaped throne, endowed with the attributes of Apollo: a lyra on her right hand and a bow on the left, wearing a laurel crown, and two lions by her side. To her right is Mars, represented by a reclined woman in profile, with the attributes of Mars: a helmet, a javelin and a shield, and accompanied by a ram. Below her, flanking the side of the central scene, is Jupiter, represented by a woman, sitting on a scroll, with the attributes of the planer: a scepter and lightning, and two fish, representing Piscis. Diagonally-below her is Saturn, personified by a sitting woman in profile view, with a scythe and a skull, with Capricorn behind her. She is separated by a grotesque motif from another woman sitting in profile, who represents the moon, with the attributes of Diana: her right hand lifting a crescent moon and, behind her, a lobster, representing Cancer. Above her, directly across Jupiter, is Mercury, represented by a woman, sitting on a scroll, holding the caduceus typically associated with the god, as well as an open book; at her feet are the twins, representing Gemini, attribute of the planet. Finally, diagonally above her is Venus, represented by a reclined woman holding a torch on her hand, and accompanied by Cupid; at her feet is a bull, symbol of Taurus.
The lower part of the frame, marked by a grotesque, is flanked by the handle of the mirror, made up of a column, flanked by scrolling motifs, and large stones. The bottom of the handle contains a ring, possibly to facilitate the storage of the mirror, allowing it to be hung from the walls in a boudoir.
The type of framing in this design for a mirror was very popular during the 16th century in Europe and, in the case of this print by Delaune, it seems to have been directly influenced by the work of Jean Cousin. Mirrors of this kind were often produced in silver and, in exceptional cases, in gold, with the use of gems, semi-precious stones, or colored glass to add color to the designs.
Artwork Details
- Title: Design for an oval hand mirror: Medea rejuvenating Pelias
- Artist: Etienne Delaune (French, Orléans 1518/19–1583 Strasbourg)
- Artist: Closely related to Jean Cousin the Younger (French, Sens ca. 1522–1594 Paris)
- Date: 1561
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed): 8 9/16 × 4 1/16 in. (21.7 × 10.3 cm)
- Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1947
- Object Number: 47.139.93
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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