Erichthonius in zijn mandje c. 1640 - 1670

Pieter van Sompel created this print of “Erichthonius in zijn mandje” sometime in the first half of the 17th century. The image depicts a scene from classical mythology, showing the infant Erichthonius, son of the god Hephaestus and the earth goddess Gaia, being placed in a basket. The composition showcases the artist's skill in rendering the human form and in creating a dynamic narrative scene, but also reveals the fascination of the Dutch public with classical learning and the myths of the ancient world. Prints like this one circulated widely, making classical imagery accessible to a broad audience. The Dutch Republic was also a major center for the book trade during this period, so understanding printmaking, publishing and the classics offers valuable insight into the social conditions that made this image possible. Further research into the iconography of Erichthonius and the reception of classical mythology in the Netherlands can help us understand the changing values of this culture.