Minerva Changing Arachne into a Spider

published 1676

Jean Lepautre

Associated Names
Jean Lepautre

Artist, French, 1618 - 1682

This is a drawing of a woman reaching out to a sun and cloud motif while standing in a room. The drawing is detailed with hatching and cross-hatching for shading and texture. The woman in classical attire gestures towards a bright symbol that appears to be a sun surrounded by clouds or a large spider web in the upper portion of the artwork. She stands beside a table that supports additional objects. The room has architectural features like an open window revealing greenery outside. The artwork is enclosed within an ornate border featuring a repetitive leaf pattern.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Anonymous Gift

  • Dimensions

    plate: 7.6 x 8.9 cm (3 x 3 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1988.49.2

  • Series Title

    Benserade's "Metamorphoses d'Ovide": p.152 [1988.49.1-6]

Artwork history & notes

Wikidata ID

Q74878194

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