Hermaphroditus and the Nymph Salmacis
around 1580/82, Artist: Bartholomäus Spranger
Hermaphroditus and the Nymph Salmacis
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.
Object data
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Netherlandish
Dated
around 1580/82
Artist
Bartholomäus Spranger (1546 Antwerpen - 1611 Prag) - GND
Material
Canvas
Dimensions
110,5 cm x 81,5 cm
Framed: 125,5 cm x 96,5 cm x 8,5 cm
Image rights
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie
Inv. No.
Gemäldegalerie, 2614
Provenance
From the treasury Rudolf II.
Permalink (citable Link) to this page: www.khm.at/en/object/1812/
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