COLLECTION NAME:
Rylands Collection
Record
Image Number:
JRL1310908
Reference Number:
Spencer 7969.1
Link to Catalogue:
Image Title:
Fertilization of Egypt
Parent Work Title:
The botanic garden: a poem, in two parts
Creator:
Darwin, Erasmus, 1731-1802
Creator Role:
Author
Creator:
Blake, William, 1757-1827
Creator Role:
Engraver
Creator:
Fuseli, Henry, 1741-1825
Creator Role:
Artist
Date Created:
1791
Publication Details:
London: J. Johnson
Page/Sheet:
127
Description:
Monochrome shaded line drawing from 'The Economy of Vegetation' in Darwin's 'Botanic Garden', The figure in the centre is the jackal-headed god Anubis, praying to the dog-star Sirius for rain. In his notes to the poem, Darwin explains that in Egyptian mythology, because the annual 'monsoon' of the Nile coincided with rise of the dog-Star, it was associated with the dog-god Anubis. In the background, above the river, is the figure of Jupitus Pluvius, the rain-giver. He is shown as a bearded old man with his arms outstretched. On the ground near Anubis' left foot is a sistrum, a musical instrument, included from Fuseli's drawing: Anubis has cast aside art to worship the rain-giver. Bottom left says: 'H. Fuseli RA: inv, bottom right says: 'W Blake, SC.' At the foot of the image is printed: 'London, Publish'd Dec.r 1st 1791. by J. Johnson, St Pauls Church .'.
Language Code:
eng-GB
Language:
English
Subject:
Mythology
Category of Material:
Printed
Sub-Category:
Bookplates
Medium:
Ink
Support:
Paper
Places Covered:
Egypt
Item Height:
290 mm
Item Width:
222 mm
Current Repository:
The University of Manchester Library, U.K.
Provenance:
Spencer, George John Spencer, Earl, 1758-1834, former owner
Rights Holder - Image:
The University of Manchester Library
Rights holder - Work:
The University of Manchester Library
Access Rights:
Date Captured (yyyy-mm-dd):
2013-05-20
Image Creation Technique:
Digital capture by Heritage Imaging, The University of Manchester Library
Date Image Added (yyyy-mm):
2013-06
Metadata Language:
eng-GB
Fertilization of Egypt
