Vulcan and Maia
circa 1585, Artist: Bartholomäus Spranger
Vulcan and Maia
For this companion piece of Hercules and Omphale the artist chose the divine sphere as the setting for this erotically charged rendezvous. Repeatedly identified as Zeus, the bearded deity is, in fact, Vulcan, the god of fire and metalworking – this is clearly indicated by the pieces of armour and the sledgehammer. His female companion is generally identified as Maia, an ancient Italian goddess of spring, which would agree with her cornucopia and garland of corn. Spranger may have copied the lascivious pose of the goddess (who continues to live on in the name of the month of May) from an engraving by Agostino Veneziano depicting Cleopatra’s suicide. Inv.-Nr. GG 1128
Object data
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Netherlandish
Dated
circa 1585
Artist
Bartholomäus Spranger (1546 Antwerpen - 1611 Prag) - GND
Material
copper
Dimensions
Overall: 22,2 cm × 17,5 cm × 0,1 cm
Framed: 34,5 cm × 29,5 cm × 3,2 cm
Image rights
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie
Inv. No.
Gemäldegalerie, 1128
Provenance
Treasury of Rudolf II.
Permalink (citable Link) to this page: www.khm.at/en/object/1819/
Kunst & Patenschaft
This object is still without a Art Patron. Accept the patronage and make sure that this cultural treasure is preserved for future generations.
Your donation is a direct and sustainable contribution to the scientific documentation, research, restoration, and presentation of the artworks of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien.
