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Arion on a Dolphin

Jan Muller Netherlandish
After Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem Netherlandish
Publisher Harmen Jansz. Muller Netherlandish
ca. 1590
Not on view
Muller made six engravings after Cornelis; and, impressions of four are in the Met. In addition to the present work they include Cain Killing Abel (56.597.4), The Fight Between Ulysses and Irus (56.597.6) and The Three Fates Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos (56.597.7). This work illustrates a scene from the life of Arion, aGreek poet and singer, who lived in Corinth in the sixth century BC and was considered the best lyre player of his time. Returning from a sojourn in Italy and Sicily, Arion was seized by sailors who robbed him of the fortune he had made in various musical contests. They allowed him to sing one last song before hurling himself into the sea. His beautiful music, however, attracted a school of dolphins who rescued him. They were likely sent by Apollo, the god of music and poetry. In the present work, Arion is sitting astride a dolphin strumming his lyre, despite the menacing clouds and turbulent sea, on his way back to home to Corinth.


The engraving was commissioned by Hendrik Laurensz. Spieghel, the Amsterdam poet, and includes his motto ‘Deugd Verhuegt’ (Virtue gives delight) inscribed below the image.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Arion on a Dolphin
  • Artist: Jan Muller (Netherlandish, Amsterdam 1571–1628 Amsterdam)
  • Artist: After Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem (Netherlandish, Haarlem 1562–1638 Haarlem)
  • Publisher: Harmen Jansz. Muller (Netherlandish, Amsterdam ca. 1540–1617 Amsterdam)
  • Date: ca. 1590
  • Medium: Engraving, Filedt Kok’s first state of three
  • Dimensions: 35.2 x 35.0 cm
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1956
  • Object Number: 56.597.5
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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The Dentist (reverse copy), Jan Muller Netherlandish
The Dentist (reverse copy)
Jan Muller
Lucas van Leyden
n.d.
Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Jan Muller Netherlandish, Engraving; second state of four
Rest on the Flight into Egypt
Jan Muller
Harmen Jansz. Muller
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Lot and His Daughters, Jan Muller Netherlandish, Engraving; New Holl.'s second state of four
Lot and His Daughters
Jan Muller
Harmen Jansz. Muller
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Hagar in the Desert Consoled by an Angel, Jan Muller Netherlandish, Engraving; first state of three
Hagar in the Desert Consoled by an Angel
Jan Muller
Harmen Jansz. Muller
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Hagar in the Desert Consoled by an Angel, Jan Muller Netherlandish, Engraving; third state of three
Hagar in the Desert Consoled by an Angel
Jan Muller
Harmen Jansz. Muller
ca. 1591

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