Medea and the Daughters of Pelias in Ovid’s Metamorphoses

Description

fatal act from Medea’s departure.

This Pelias killed by his daughters engraving is catalogued by the Bibliothèque nationale de France among the illustrations for Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The BnF identifies the scene under the title “Pélias tué par ses filles” and attributes the illustrated series to Jean Mathieu. Its bibliographic record connects the images with a French edition published in Paris in 1619. The date circa 1620 is consistent with this reference. BnF- Bibliothèque nationale de France

The reverse of the sheet carries printed text in old French. The visible passage describes the daughters’ request to Medea, her demonstration with the old ram and their attempt to repeat the process on their father. The printed text is directly related to the image and preserves part of the narrative that accompanied it in the original illustrated book.

The sheet measures approximately 17.7 × 13 cm. The engraved image measures approximately 13.8 × 11.2 cm. The old French caption remains visible beneath the scene. The paper has an aged appearance, with small marks visible in the photographs. Please examine the images of both sides for the details of the print and its condition. The sheet is offered unframed.

This Pelias killed by his daughters engraving will appeal to collectors of Ovid, Medea, Greek mythology, early European prints and illustrated books. The subject is especially dramatic because the image combines the family tragedy with the magical deception that leads to it. Its small format makes it suitable for a framed display, a print cabinet or a collection of classical subjects.

The printed caption identifies the episode, while the reverse text adds context for the scene. Together, the image and its accompanying passage show how an early illustrated edition could present a myth through both picture and narrative. The visible old French type and the historical spelling in the caption are distinctive features of the sheet.

The composition also offers several points of interest for close viewing: the arrangement of the figures around Pelias, the fire beneath the cauldron and the fantastic chariot in the upper right. These details guide the eye across the scene and connect the different parts of the story. The result is a lively illustration of revenge, false hope and the consequences of Medea’s deception.

An early seventeenth-century image from Ovid’s mythological tradition, this engraving brings a memorable episode to life through its theatrical setting and narrative detail. It is an appealing historical print for anyone interested in classical literature, mythological iconography or antique book illustrations.