Hermaphroditus and the Nymph Salmacis
around 1580/82 | Bartholomäus Spranger
The naiad of the fountain of Salmacis is consumed with love for Hermaphroditus, a son of Hermes and Aphrodite. As this love is not reciprocated, Salmacis asks the gods to melt their two bodies and tempts the youth into her fountain. This fountain will turn all those who bathe in it into hermaphrodites. The picture composition enhances the erotic character of the scene: while the nymph, secretly and unobserved, watches the handsome youth, she herself reveals her charms.
The naiad of the fountain of Salmacis is consumed with love for Hermaphroditus, a son of Hermes and Aphrodite. As this love is not reciprocated, Salmacis asks the gods to melt their two bodies and tempts the youth into her fountain. This fountain will turn all those who bathe in it into hermaphrodites. The picture composition enhances the erotic character of the scene: while the nymph, secretly and unobserved, watches the handsome youth, she herself reveals her charms.
Artist:
Bartholomäus Spranger (1546 Antwerpen - 1611 Prag) DNB
Time:
around 1580/82
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Netherlandish
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
110,5 cm x 81,5 cm
Framed: 125,5 cm x 96,5 cm x 8,5 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 2614
Provenance
From the treasury Rudolf II.
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