dutch-and-flemish-painters:Lucas Gassel - Pyramus and Thisbe - oil on panel, Height: 66 cm (25.9 i
dutch-and-flemish-painters:Lucas Gassel - Pyramus and Thisbe - oil on panel, Height: 66 cm (25.9 in Width: 87 cm (34.2 in)Museum Helmond, the NetherlandsPyramus and Thisbē are a pair of ill-fated lovers whose story forms part of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The story has since been retold by many authors.In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Pyramus and Thisbe are two lovers in the city of Babylon who occupy connected houses, forbidden by their parents to be wed, because of their parents’ rivalry. Through a crack in one of the walls, they whisper their love for each other. They arrange to meet near Ninus’ tomb under a mulberry tree and state their feelings for each other. Thisbe arrives first, but upon seeing a lioness with a mouth bloody from a recent kill, she flees, leaving behind her cloak. When Pyramus arrives he is horrified at the sight of Thisbe’s cloak which the lioness had torn and left traces of blood behind, as well as its tracks. Assuming that a wild beast has killed her, Pyramus kills himself, falling on his sword, a typical Babylonian way to commit suicide, and in turn splashing blood on the white mulberry leaves. Pyramus’ blood stains the white mulberry fruits, turning them dark. Thisbe returns, eager to tell Pyramus what had happened to her, but she finds Pyramus’ dead body under the shade of the mulberry tree. Thisbe, after a brief period of mourning, stabs herself with the same sword. In the end, the gods listen to Thisbe’s lament, and forever change the color of the mulberry fruits into the stained color to honor their forbidden love. Pyramus and Thisbe proved to be faithful lovers to each other until the very end.Lucas Gassel or Lucas van Gassel (Deurne, Netherlands, 1480–1500 – 1568 or 1569) was a Flemish Renaissance painter and draughtsman known for his landscapes. He helped further develop and modernize the landscape tradition in Flanders. He also designed prints which were published by the Antwerp publisher Hieronymus Cock. -- source link