Hermaphrodite and Salmacis - Gerard de Jode

A 1589 engraving by Gerard de Jode depicting the classical myth of Hermaphrodite and Salmacis within a detailed architectural setting.

This engraving by the Flemish cartographer and printmaker Gerard de Jode depicts the Ovidian myth of Hermaphrodite and Salmacis. Dated 1589, the work demonstrates the characteristic Northern Mannerist interest in complex spatial arrangements and classical subject matter. The composition is structured around a central architectural complex, featuring formal gardens and a fountain, which serves as the setting for the transformation described in the Latin inscription at the base of the print.

In the foreground, the figures of Salmacis and Hermaphrodite are positioned near a fountain, while a solitary figure stands in a gesture of supplication beside an obelisk. The background reveals an expansive view of a city, rendered with the precise line work typical of late sixteenth-century printmaking. Above, celestial figures emerge from clouds, providing a divine frame for the earthly narrative below. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of volume and depth, guiding the eye from the architectural ruins on the left to the distant horizon.

De Jode, known primarily for his contributions to cartography, applied a similar rigour to his figurative prints. The work reflects the period's fascination with classical literature, specifically the Metamorphoses, which provided a rich source of imagery for artists of the era. The inclusion of the Latin text serves to ground the visual narrative in its literary origin, inviting the viewer to engage with both the image and the underlying myth. The print is an example of the technical proficiency achieved by Flemish engravers during the late Renaissance, balancing architectural detail with human form.