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An original double-sided Renaissance book leaf attributed to the 1569 Frankfurt edition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, featuring two mythological woodcut illustrations after the celebrated German engraver and artist Virgil Solis (1514–1562).
One side depicts Ceres transforming a mocking boy into a lizard, while the reverse illustrates Alpheus pursuing the nymph Arethusa, who seeks the protection of the goddess Diana. Both scenes are drawn from classical mythology and demonstrate the Renaissance fascination with Ovid’s tales of divine intervention and transformation.
Each illustration is enclosed within an elaborate ornamental woodcut border featuring intricate Renaissance decorative motifs. The combination of detailed figurative compositions, decorative framing and early typography makes this an attractive example of 16th-century illustrated book production.
Printed on antique paper with text accompanying the illustrations, this single leaf preserves two distinct mythological scenes on its opposing sides. Its double-sided presentation makes it particularly appealing to collectors of early printed books, Renaissance woodcuts, classical mythology and historical illustration.
Condition: Original antique leaf displaying age-related toning, scattered discoloration, edge wear and other signs of age and handling, as visible in the photographs. Both illustrations remain legible, with their decorative borders substantially preserved.
Attribution: Virgil Solis; 1569 Frankfurt edition. Exact edition and printing date have not been independently verified.
