Starting a new series, looking at paintings of the first modern European novel. With its deep humour, Cervantes’ masterpiece has been extensively painted.
narrative
Known from her wedding, which led to the Trojan War, and for being the mother of the Greek warrior Achilles, she is well-known in paintings.
Where Britomart wins Satyrane’s tournament, Marinell and Florimell agree to marry, Artegall accomplishes his quest for Irena, and the Blatant Beast is muzzled for a while.
Easily confused with Artemis (Diana), her sign is the crescent moon, and her lover is Endymion, who despite sleeping forever, fathered her 50 daughters.
Una and the Redcrosse Knight, Sir Guyon or of Temperance, and Britomartis or Chastity: plot summary, main characters, and selected paintings.
Not just a pretty atmospheric effect, she’s a messenger of the gods, and is involved in many myths. Superb paintings by Guérin, Fuseli and others.
Two additional cantos from a 7th book not published until after Spenser’s death. They tell of a battle between change and the gods: does change rule us all?
An exotic import until the Romans enlisted her support against the Carthaginians, her chariot is drawn by a lion and lioness – who desecrated an old shrine.
Coridon is proven to be cowardly, when Sir Calidore saves Pastorella from a tiger. She’s taken captive by brigands, and her true identity revealed.
One of the most frequently painted of the classical deities, this is out of all proportion to her tiny role in the pantheon. From Ricci to Waterhouse.
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