Terms and conditions of use
Thisbe and the lioness, plate
(c. 1570-1600)
Medium
earthenware (maiolica)
Measurements
4.9 × 23.9 cm diameter
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Bequest of Howard Spensley, 1939
Gallery location
16th & 17th Century Gallery - Painting and Sculpture
Mezzanine linked to Level 1, NGV International
About this work
This bowl is decorated with a scene from the tale of Pyramus and Thisbe from Book 4 of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The lovers Pyramus and Thisbe arrange to meet in secret at a spring. Thisbe arrives first but is frightened off by a lioness with jaws bloody from a recent kill. Thisbe drops her cloak as she flees. Pyramus arrives, sees the cloak and, believing Thisbe was killed by the lioness, commits suicide. Thisbe returns, finds the dying Pyramus and throws herself on his sword. Such stories served as cautionary tales for young lovers.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Urbino, Italy
Inscription
painted in green (vertically) on base c.: TISIBA ·
Accession Number
4412-D3
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Physical description
Painted in colours, Thisbe scared by lion at fountain, which is in form of woman with two spouting ewers.