Elizabeth Ashley - Pop up Paintings

Atalanta And The Golden Apples

Atalanta, the daughter of the king of Boeotia, tested her suitors’ worthiness by challenging them to a foot race. If they won, they had a crown; if they lost, they were executed. And they always lost to the swift footed beauty.

Young Hippomenes, great grandson of Neptune, used another avenue to success. He called upon Venus, the goddess of beauty, to instruct him in winning the elusive Atalanta. She gave him three golden apples to place along the designated path. These, she said, would tempt Atalanta to stray from the race to collect them, thus slowing her down.

All transpired as Venus had said, except that even with her diversion from the course, Atalanta was about to win the race. Intrigued now, however, by her suitor’s lineage, beauty and resourcefulness, she succumbed to the temptation of the last golden apple and happily allowed Hippomenes to win the race.

20" x 60"

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