DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7897#0065
( 47 )
PLATE XVII.
This composition is taken from a Vase in the collection of the British
Museum. It has been published by Visconti (i), and supposed to repre-
sent Phrixus and Helle, who are receiving from Mercury the ram with a gol-
den fleece, which was to convey them to Colchis, and save them from the
persecutions of Ino their stepmother (2). In this hypothesis, the learned
author takes the female figure who is seated, for Helle the sister of Phrixus;
and the other female figure, for Nephele their mother.
This explanation , though it has the sanction of such high authority,
maj however, be called in question. The circumstances indicated in the
painting, do not correspond with those of the supposed subject. The figures
attributed to Helle and Phrixus, are seated, and in a state of repose incon-
sistent with the situation of persons on the point of escaping to avoid instant
death (3). To this objection it may be further added, that the first of these
figures is in the back ground, and takes no part in the action; that the ram is
not presented by Mercury, but is lying down and in an opposite direction;
and that the figure which Visconti takes for Nephele, is rather that of a
divinity.
It is more probable, and indeed there can be little doubt, but that the sub-
ject offers a well known scene on mount Ida, Venus soliciting the suffrage of
Paris, and promising him as a reward, the possession of the beautiful Helen.
The female figure with a long sceptre, is Venus. Paris is represented sit-
ting; he seems confused at the presence of the goddess, and hesitating if he
should accept her proposals. The ram lying near him, the dog, and the jave-
lins Avhich he holds (4), indicate his pastoral occupations, and his inclina-
(1) Museo Pio Clem. torn. iv. tav. A.
(2) Apollod. lib. 1. cap. ix. 1. Pausan. lib.
ix. cap. 25. Hyginus. fab. m.
(3) Phrixus and Helle were already before
the altar, and on the point of being sacrificed
by Athamas to Jupiter on mount Laphystius,
when Mercury, by order of Jupiter, brought
the ram , on which they instantly mounted
and were conveyed through the air. Pausan.
loc. cit.
(4) The name of Alexander was given to
Paris on account of his courage in repelling tbe
attacks of the wild beasts, which were in great
numbers on mount Ida. Shepherds were usu-
ally armed with javelins on this account. Ho-
mer. Iliad. A. vers. 551.
PLATE XVII.
This composition is taken from a Vase in the collection of the British
Museum. It has been published by Visconti (i), and supposed to repre-
sent Phrixus and Helle, who are receiving from Mercury the ram with a gol-
den fleece, which was to convey them to Colchis, and save them from the
persecutions of Ino their stepmother (2). In this hypothesis, the learned
author takes the female figure who is seated, for Helle the sister of Phrixus;
and the other female figure, for Nephele their mother.
This explanation , though it has the sanction of such high authority,
maj however, be called in question. The circumstances indicated in the
painting, do not correspond with those of the supposed subject. The figures
attributed to Helle and Phrixus, are seated, and in a state of repose incon-
sistent with the situation of persons on the point of escaping to avoid instant
death (3). To this objection it may be further added, that the first of these
figures is in the back ground, and takes no part in the action; that the ram is
not presented by Mercury, but is lying down and in an opposite direction;
and that the figure which Visconti takes for Nephele, is rather that of a
divinity.
It is more probable, and indeed there can be little doubt, but that the sub-
ject offers a well known scene on mount Ida, Venus soliciting the suffrage of
Paris, and promising him as a reward, the possession of the beautiful Helen.
The female figure with a long sceptre, is Venus. Paris is represented sit-
ting; he seems confused at the presence of the goddess, and hesitating if he
should accept her proposals. The ram lying near him, the dog, and the jave-
lins Avhich he holds (4), indicate his pastoral occupations, and his inclina-
(1) Museo Pio Clem. torn. iv. tav. A.
(2) Apollod. lib. 1. cap. ix. 1. Pausan. lib.
ix. cap. 25. Hyginus. fab. m.
(3) Phrixus and Helle were already before
the altar, and on the point of being sacrificed
by Athamas to Jupiter on mount Laphystius,
when Mercury, by order of Jupiter, brought
the ram , on which they instantly mounted
and were conveyed through the air. Pausan.
loc. cit.
(4) The name of Alexander was given to
Paris on account of his courage in repelling tbe
attacks of the wild beasts, which were in great
numbers on mount Ida. Shepherds were usu-
ally armed with javelins on this account. Ho-
mer. Iliad. A. vers. 551.