4. Raven, Serpent and the Cup

Medium: Intaglio with hand coloring
Edition: Artist Proof
Dimensions: Plate 8.75x13.75"; Paper 13x19"

Also referred to as Corvus (Latin for Raven) these adjacent constellations are linked in a moral tale that dates back at least as far as the time of the ancient Greeks. As the story goes Apollo was about to perform a ritual sacrifice to Zeus and sent the raven (in some texts referred to as the crow) to bring some water. The bird flew with the cup in its talons until it came upon a lush fig tree plentiful with unripe fruit. Disregarding Apollo's orders the raven waited for several days for the fruit to ripen.
After gorging on the ripe figs the raven thought up a lie. He picked up a water snake and returned to Apollo explaining that the serpent had prevented his approach to the water. Apollo, who possessed numerous supernatural and psychic powers, saw through the lie and banished raven to a life of constant thirst in the constellation of Corvus, where the serpent forever guards the cup.