802 - J. CLEMENS (*1748) after PÉRON (*1776), *Selection of Sacrifices for the Minotaur*, 1827, copper engraving

J. CLEMENS (*1748) after PÉRON (*1776), *Selection of Sacrifices for the Minotaur*, 1827, copper engraving Johann Friderich Clemens (1748 Gollnow/Stettin – 1831 Copenhagen) after Alexandre Péron (1776 – 1856): Selection of sacrifices for the Minotaur, 1827, copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving on paper Inscription: Signed in the lower part of the printing plate: "Péron inv. | I. F. Clemens del. et sculps.". Inscribed in the lower part of the printing plate: "Lodtrækning Aurelio Fichter den Atheniensiske Ungdom, bestemt at ofre Minotaurus [...]". Dated in the lower middle: "1827". Date: 1827 Description: Multi-figure scene in ancient costume set in a temple. A young man from Athens has been chosen as a sacrifice to the Minotaur. The young man standing defiantly in the shadows with his arms folded could be Theseus, who, according to Plutarch, is said to have defeated the Minotaur and was able to escape Minos’ labyrinth thanks to Ariadne’s cleverness. Keywords: Antiquity, Greece, Athens, Crete, Minos, Minotaur, Sacrifice, Theseus, Ariadne’s Thread, Red Thread, 19th century, Classicism, Mythology, Greece, Athens, Size: Paper: 32.5 cm x 48.4 cm (12.8 x 19.1 in), Plate: 31.0 cm x 46.7 cm (12.2 x 18.4 in), Image: 24.4 cm x 44.1 cm (9.6 x 17.4 in) Condition: Fairly good condition. Foxing visible across the entire sheet. Some significant damage along the edges. A long tear in the lower left margin extending into the image, with a short tear above it. The upper left corner of the sheet is partially missing and is creased and torn. A long tear in the upper left margin extending into the image, repaired with adhesive tape on the reverse. Large tear in the upper right corner, repaired with adhesive tape on the reverse. Discolored and slightly bumped along the right edge of the sheet. The lower right corner of the sheet is creased and torn. Slightly creased in the lower left quarter of the sheet. The image is generally well-preserved.