GOUDT, Hendrick after Adam Elsheimer

1973.141.jpg

Description

Jupiter and Mercury in the House of Philemon and Baucis
1612
Engraving
8 x 8 5/8" SHEET
In Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses, he recounts the tale of a poor and elderly couple, Philemon and Baucis, who graciously hosted Jupiter (Zeus) and Mercury (Hermes), though they appeared disguised as beggars. Philemon and Baucis cordially invited them in, offering what little food and wine they had. In this print you see Baucis, in the background, gathering food while Philemen offers them a blanket. The gods eventually revealed their true identities and rewarded their hosts for their hospitality. Though this print derives it subject matter from the antique, the ideas it imparted (charity and selflessness) form the basis of Christianity and would have resonated with Hendrik Goudts audience as such. Indeed, in the Book of Hebrews, 13:2 of the Bible it is written: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Date

1612

Creator

GOUDT, Hendrick after Adam Elsheimer
b. Germany, 1587 - 1610 (Goudt) and b. Germany, 1585 - 1630 (Elsheimer)

Source

Gift of Professor Alfred Moir

Identifier

1973.141

Citation

GOUDT, Hendrick after Adam Elsheimer and b. Germany, 1587 - 1610 (Goudt) and b. Germany, 1585 - 1630 (Elsheimer), “GOUDT, Hendrick after Adam Elsheimer,” UCSB ADA Museum Omeka, accessed March 29, 2024, http://art-collections.museum.ucsb.edu/items/show/6987.