"Pan et Syrix" by J. Jordaens (1593-1678) - Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium
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Syrinx was a beautiful, gamesome wood Nymph from Arcadia , renowned for her strong passion for hunting.
One day, Greek god Pan met Syrinx in the backwoods on her way to hunt; delighted from what he saw, Pan lustfully decided to approach her. Syrinx, however, was a very proud Nymph who didn’t wish to be loved; so she ran away to avoid the satyr, but Pan took off in pursuit.
Suddenly, the river Ladon cut the Nymph’s path. Syrinx desperately appealed to the River God to rescue her, until finally her prayers were heard and the River God turned Syrinx into a reed.
Soon enough, Pan managed to reach Syrinx and spread his arms to fondle and embrace her; but all he found inside his arms was a plain tuft of reeds. So he sighed out desperately; a sigh so deep that it sounded through the reeds, producing a melody…
Charmed by this melody, Pan bunched up small pieces of reed and produced a pan pipe, which he named "Syrinx" to honor the Nymph. Everywhere he went, Pan took his beloved Syrinx with him, delighting deities with its harmonious sounds.
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