Jupiter and Mercury in the House of Philemon and Baucis, after Adam Elsheimer

Ovid’s Metamorphoses relates the story of Philemon and Baucis, an old couple who despite poverty lavished hospitality on Jupiter and Mercury, disguised as travelers. Offered any reward by the gods, they asked to die together, so when the moment arrived, were transformed into intertwined trees. Elsheimer’s painting rendered the initial scene as contemporary genre with striking artificial illumination. Goudt’s translation, typical of his prints, approximates its tonal range and incipient naturalism through especially fine and dense burin work.