Antique Mythology Print-PENELOPES WEB-OVID-Picart-1733

Original etching and engraving combination on a verge type hand laid paper. 100% original and authentic. on paper.

Size in cm: The overall size is ca. 31.5 x 49 cm. The image size is ca. 24.5 x 34.5 cm. Size in inch: The overall size is ca. 12.4 x 19.3 inch. The image size is ca. 9.6 x 13.6 inch.

Plate: ‘ Penelope’s Web.’ (Plate is accompanied by text in French, English, German and Dutch under image.) Penelope, Queen of Ithaca, was the wife of Ulysses. In Homer’s, Odyssey, she became the symbol of all domestic virtues, most notably, faithfulness. The long absence of her husband and reports of his possible death prompted many ambitious suitors to the palace at Ithaca. To buy time, Penelope promised to select one of them as her new husband and king as soon as she had finished weaving a shroud for her father-in-law. Every night she unraveled the work she had done during the day. This was the ‘web of Penelope’. This attractive original old antique print / plate originates from: ‘Tafereel, of Beschryving van den prachtigen Tempel der Zang-Godinnen.’ (Translation from Dutch: Scene or description of the magnificent temple of singing godesses.), by Bernard Picart Le Romain and published by H. Chatelain in Amsterdam, 1733. This is the first edition of this beautiful work, which took three years to complete, is a highlight of 18th century Dutch book illustration. The work consists of 60 full-page folio size plates within different ornamental borders, illustrating the Metamorphoses by Ovidius. Artists and Engravers: The author and engraver of this work is Bernard Picart (1673-1733). He was a French painter and engraver. He received his art education from his father, Etienne (1632-1721), from Le Brun and Jouvenet at the Royal Academy. His talents developed rapidly: at the age of sixteen he gained honors at the Academy of Paris.He was born in Paris and died in Amsterdam. Other engravers worked on this work as well.

Condition: Fine. General age related toning.

Keywords: ANTIQUE MYTHOLOGY PRINT-PENELOPES WEB-OVID-PICART

PCOX-E1-14