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Cadmus Founding Thebes

Designed by Francesco Primaticcio Italian
ca. 1543–44
Not on view
Taken from the Latin poem "Metamorphoses" by Ovid, first published in the year 8 ce, this image illustrates the mythical story of the Greek hero Cadmus, who established the city of Thebes. According to the mythological tale, the goddess Athena instructed Cadmus to sow the teeth of a dragon he had slain, and　from these teeth sprung a group of men who helped Cadmus build his new city. In this composition, the scene is split by the rising masonry wall, creating a stark separation between Cadmus and the other workers. He holds a ruler and seems to be commanding his laborers, who are hewing, chopping, and assembling the building materials.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cadmus Founding Thebes
  • Artist: Master of the Story of Cadmus (active ca. 1542–47)
  • Artist: Anonymous, French, School of Fontainebleau, 16th century
  • Artist: Designed by Francesco Primaticcio (Italian, Bologna 1504/5–1570 Paris)
  • Date: ca. 1543–44
  • Medium: Etching
  • Dimensions: sheet: 9 9/16 x 11 9/16 in. (24.3 x 29.4 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. John H. Sichel, 1966
  • Object Number: 66.747.111
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Marriage of Cadmus and Harmonia
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Vulcan's Forge, Master of the Story of Cadmus, Etching
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Hercules chasing Avarice from the Temple of the Muses, Ugo da Carpi Italian, Chiaroscuro woodcut from two blocks in green
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