The Dioscuri, Or Castor And Pollux, The Guardians Of Mariners

48.5 x 32 cm (19.1 x 12.6 inches).
The Dioscuri, Or Castor And Pollux, The Guardians Of Mariners
This spectacular baroque engraving is from Bernard Picart's Le Temple Des Muses.
The engraving was made in 1733, is from the first edition and is an original antique. It has captions in French, English, German, and Dutch.
It is in very good condition for its age.
Castor and Pollux were twins in Greek mythology. Among their adventures Castor and Pollux joined Jason and the Argonauts. During a storm Orpheus summoned the gods for their aid. Flames descended from the heavens and hovered over the twins' heads, calming the storm. This was the origin of Saint Elmo's Fire which today is the symbol to mariners for the end of a storm. The twins became the guardians of mariners. In this superb engraving by Bernard Picart, a storm rages about the Argonauts ship. Twin flames of St Elmo's fire dance above the mast. The ornate border features Poseidon and mermaids.