Ancient Germanic Deities and a Sacrifice, Partially Hand Colored, 1842

An original antique lithograph, partially hand colored, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image is left largely uncolored: it shows three idols. At left a figure in a hood with pointed ears stands on a square pedestal holding a large disc carved with a human face inside a crescent. At center is a carved head with deeply lined features and a long flowing beard, lightly washed in tan. At right a nude female figure with very long hair and a garland of leaves stands on a pedestal, holding up a cluster of grapes and vine leaves. The lower image is fully colored: a group of wreathed men leads a garlanded white ox toward a fire burning on a wooden altar at left, while a man in a white robe raises a cup. Two bare chested men in blue breeches hold the animal, and at right stand two tall brown jugs beside a shallow dish and a blade.

The top margin is lettered Tav 65 at upper left, "GERMANIA" at center and Tom IV at upper right. The captions read "Deità" (Deities) and "Sacrifizio" (Sacrifice).

The plate illustrates the religion of the ancient Germans, whose rites included animal sacrifice. The sheet gives no names for the three idols, and they are best taken as the illustrator's picture of Germanic worship rather than as portraits of particular gods.

The contrast between the pale statues above and the colored ritual scene below gives the plate a striking balance on the wall.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.