Hercules and Omphale: Omphale teaches Hercules to spin thread from a distaff to a spindle. Engraving by M. Dorigny, 1643, after S. Vouet.

  • Vouet, Simon, 1590-1649.
Date:
1643
Reference:
2814451i
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About this work

Description

Hercules holds the distaff and spindle while Omphale holds a bow and arrow. Above, Cupid aims his arrow at Hercules

Publication/Creation

1643

Physical description

1 print : etching, with engraving ; platemark 24.3 x 15.9 cm

Lettering

Te clavam mutare colo cum cerneret, heros, Haec matri referam ludicra dixit Amor. S. Vouet pinxit ; M. Dorigny sc. 1643 cum privileg. Regis Translation of Latin couplet below the image: When he saw you, hero, exchange your club for the distaff, Love said "I shall report this laughable event to my mother [i.e. Venus]

References note

Roger-Armand Weigert, Inventaire du fonds français, graveurs du XVIIe siècle, Bibliothèque nationale, cabinet des estampes, tome III, Paris 1954, p. 480 ('(53-113 [i.e. 135]) Gravures d'après Simon Vouet.') and p. 485, Michel Dorigny no. 90 ('90. Hercule et Omphale. 1643. H. 0m217 x L. 0m159. R.-D. 90, … Copie en contre-partie par Melch. Küssel … L'original était-il la toile de Vouet signalée par l'inv. de N. Bailly au Luxembourg? Composition reproduite en tapisserie avec variantes. Voir M. Fenaille, op. cit. [M. Fenaille, État général des Gobelins, 1923]')

Reference

Wellcome Collection 2814451i

Type/Technique

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