Salmacis and Hermaphroditus

Magdalena van de Passe (mentioned on object), 1623

The infatuated nymph Salmacis forces herself on the handsome Hermaphroditus and merges with him into one hermaphroditic person. The mythological figures in Magdalena de Passe’s print symbolize the ideal marriage. She dedicated it to the poet Jacob Cats, who often wrote about the relationships between men and women. The adjacent print depicting the myth of Cephalus and Procris is a pendant and illustrates jealous love.

  • Artwork typeprint
  • Object numberRP-P-OB-15.828
  • Dimensionsheight 203 mm x width 227 mm
  • Physical characteristicsgravure