Phaëthons zussen treuren om zijn dood c. 1636 - 1670

Crispijn van de Passe the Younger created this engraving, "Phaeton's Sisters Mourning his Death," in the Netherlands, sometime in the first half of the 17th century. The image depicts a scene from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, a popular source of imagery during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Here, we see Phaeton’s sisters transformed into trees as they grieve the death of their brother, who was struck down by Zeus for his reckless handling of the sun chariot. Van de Passe’s print participates in a long tradition of illustrating classical literature, a practice closely tied to the social and institutional structures of education and artistic patronage. It’s worth remembering that access to classical texts like Ovid was largely confined to the educated elite. The imagery served as a kind of visual shorthand, reinforcing shared cultural knowledge and social status. By examining the print within its historical context, considering the social and intellectual milieu in which it was produced and consumed, we gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance. Resources in libraries and archives can help us learn more.