Plate 29: Bacchus Changing his Kidnappers into Monsters (Tyrrheni nautae in Dlephinos), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' 1606

This etching by Antonio Tempesta depicts a scene from Ovid's "Metamorphoses" titled "Plate 29: Bacchus Changing his Kidnappers into Monsters (Tyrrheni nautae in Dlephinos)". The image portrays the Roman god Bacchus transforming Etruscan sailors into dolphins after they attempted to kidnap him. Tempesta, a renowned Italian artist of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, masterfully captured the dramatic moment as Bacchus raises his hand in anger, casting a spell that transforms the sailors into marine creatures. The scene is filled with dynamic poses and detailed anatomical renderings, showcasing the artist's skill in depicting both human and animal forms.