Crispijn de Passe the Elder (1564-1637)
Hippomenes and Atalanta transformed into lions c.1600
Pen and brown ink with brownish-grey wash, over traces of black chalk; indented for transfer | 7.4 x 13.2 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 914903
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A drawing of two lions into which the lovers Hippomenes and Atalanta were transformed, and the temple of Cybele on the right. In the interior the two lovers are embracing before the wooden statues of ancient gods (Book X, Ovid's Metamorphoses). From one of two 18th century albums of drawings, which, with the exception of four (W&C 134-7), were all preparatory studies for an edition of illustrations to Ovid's Metamorphoses. They were engraved in reverse by the artist, and were accompanied by distichs at the bottom of each plate. The first edition was published in Cologne in 1602, and the second in 1607.
Provenance
Possibly Zaccaria Sagredo (d. 1729); from whose heirs bought by Joseph Smith,1752; from whom bought by George III, 1762; first recorded in a Royal Collection inventory of c.1810 (Inv. A, p.150: 'Designs from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Pen & Ink? by
2 vols. obl: 4to. Vol I - 41 pages. Vol: 2 - 41. pages') -
Medium and techniques
Pen and brown ink with brownish-grey wash, over traces of black chalk; indented for transfer
Measurements
7.4 x 13.2 cm (sheet of paper)
Other number(s)
RL 14903
