Original 16th-Century Virgil Solis Woodcut — Arethusa & Alpheus

Virgil Solis (1514–1562) | Ovid’s Metamorphoses | Germany, 16th Century

An original 16th-century Renaissance woodcut depicting the extraordinary story of Arethusa and Alpheus from Book V of Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

Arethusa was a beautiful nymph and devoted follower of Diana.

One day, exhausted after hunting, she discovered an extraordinarily peaceful stream. The water was so clear that the stones lying beneath its surface could easily be counted.

Arethusa entered the water to cool herself.

She removed her clothing, hung it upon a nearby willow, and began to swim.

Then she heard a voice beneath the water.

It belonged to Alpheus—the river god himself.

The Pursuit of Arethusa

Frightened, Arethusa fled from the river.

Alpheus pursued her.

Unable to escape, the exhausted nymph eventually called upon Diana for help. The goddess responded by surrounding Arethusa with a dense cloud, concealing her from her pursuer.

But Alpheus remained nearby.

Terrified and exhausted, Arethusa began to perspire so heavily that drops of water flowed from her body.

Then her transformation began.

She dissolved into water and became a spring.

The present Renaissance woodcut depicts this supernatural encounter, with Arethusa and Alpheus on either side of a dramatic column of cloud and the goddess appearing above.

The Original Latin Survives

Substantial original Latin letterpress survives on the reverse and directly identifies the story.

The visible text corresponds approximately to Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book V, lines 588–600. (Perseus Digital Library)

Arethusa describes discovering the clear stream, entering first with her feet and then to her knees before removing her garments and immersing herself completely.

While swimming, she suddenly hears a mysterious sound beneath the surface.

Frightened, she rushes toward the bank.

Then Alpheus speaks:

“Quo properas, Arethusa?”

“Where are you hurrying, Arethusa?”

The physical fragment therefore preserves both the Renaissance illustration and the original Latin text of the myth it depicts.

Details

Artist/Design: Virgil Solis (1514–1562)
Subject: Arethusa and Alpheus
Work: Ovid, Metamorphoses
Book: Book V
Visible Latin: Approximately lines 588–600
Design first published: Frankfurt, 1563
Date: 16th century
Origin: Germany
Medium: Original woodcut on laid paper
Reverse: Original Latin letterpress
Approx. image size: 6.3 × 8.2 cm

Condition

The woodcut survives with a strong and attractive impression and excellent detail for its age.

Some age-related discoloration and staining are visible within the image, particularly around the central portion.

The fragment has been trimmed from its original book leaf.

The reverse retains substantial original Latin letterpress together with remnants from an old mounting. A reddish strip of mounting paper remains adhered across the upper portion, along with a smaller piece of previous mounting material.

The old mounting material has intentionally been left undisturbed to avoid risking damage to the approximately 450-year-old paper.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.