Phyllis and Aristotle
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The tale of Phyllis and Aristotle is a medieval cautionary tale about the triumph of a seductive woman, Phyllis, over the greatest male intellect, the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. It is one of
Woodcut of Aristotle ridden by Phyllis by Hans Baldung, 1515
Stone sculpture, Cadouin Abbey, France, 12th century
Panel of casket with scenes of romances, France, ivory, 1330–1350
"Maltererteppich" (bench cover tapistry), 1320/30, Freiburg, Germany
Power of Women
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The "Power of Women" is a medieval and Renaissance artistic and literary topos, showing "heroic or wise men dominated by women", presenting "an admonitory and often humorous inversion of the male-domi
Phyllis and Aristotle
…a seductive woman, Phyllis, over the greatest male intellect, the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. It is one of several stories belonging to the Power of Women artistic and literary topos from that time. Among early versions is the French Lai d'Aristote from 1220. The story of the dominatrix and the famous…
Judith with the Head of Holofernes by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1530
15th-century aquamanile with Phyllis riding Aristotle
Jacopo Amigoni, Jael and Sisera, 1739
Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Slaying Holofernes, version in Florence, 1621