TWO UNUSUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ORPHEUS IN THE CONTEXT OF RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE EMBLEMS

Abstract

In the following paper we will analyze two unusual representations of Orpheus within the context of several Renaissance and Baroque emblems: those from the emblematists Dionysius Lebeus-Batillius and Johannes Sambucus. Apart from trying to stay away from a explicit reference to the wonderful sounds created by this young musician, these emblemists made novel interpretations of the myth since they emphasized little-known facts such as Orpheus’s relation with the Prince Neanto and Homer.