Melampus (1820)
Scale: unknown. A colour-washed sketch of a proposed carved quarter piece for HMS Melampus (1820), a 46-gun Fifth Rate frigate. The female figure is standing on a plinth in which is the outline of a bird. She is wearing a long Greek peplos (dress) with the right shoulder exposed. Her right arm is raised above her head holding one end of a leafy frond. The left arm is across her waist holding onto the other end.
The text below the image explains the iconography and how it relates back to the name of the ship:
‘Two figures to represent Lysippe and Iphinoe, daughters of Protides [Proetus, King of Tyrins] (who were cured of madness with the Hellebore plant by Melampus) are to be cut for the Quarter Pieces.’
A pencil annotation at the bottom of the page states 'Warr't 10th May 1820'
The text below the image explains the iconography and how it relates back to the name of the ship:
‘Two figures to represent Lysippe and Iphinoe, daughters of Protides [Proetus, King of Tyrins] (who were cured of madness with the Hellebore plant by Melampus) are to be cut for the Quarter Pieces.’
A pencil annotation at the bottom of the page states 'Warr't 10th May 1820'
Object Details
| ID: | DIC0021 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Technical drawing |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Date made: | May 1820 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
| Measurements: | Overall: 238 mm x 187 mm |