Thisbe

This painting captures a scene from Ovids Metamorphoses. The maiden Thisbe falls in love with her neighbor Pyramus but each young lovers parents forbid the relationship forcing them to carry out their romantic relationship though a crack in the wall that separates their houses. The couple decides to elope which ends tragically. The young couple agrees to meet in a tomb, Thisbe arrives first but is forced to flee as a lioness approaches. Pyramus arrives shortly after and sees the lioness tracks and Thisbes shawl lying on the ground. Grief stricken at the thought of losing Thisbe, Pyramus thrusts himself upon his sword. When Thisbe returns she see the body of Pyramus and also kills herself. The lovers blood reddens the fruit of a nearby white mulberry bush forever giving mulberries their red color.