The Wrath of Achilles
Maker
(Artists)
1577-1640
1577-1640
Title
The Wrath of Achilles
Date of Production
1630-35
Medium
oil on panel
Dimensions
Height: 106.8 cm (panel)
Width: 108.5 cm (panel)
Width: 108.5 cm (panel)
Accession Number
P.1978.PG.374
Mode of Acquisition
Count Antoine Seilern, bequest, 1978
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Location
On display
Keywords
Label Text
Although it appears finished, this painting is in fact a design for one of eight tapestries depicting the ancient Greek warrior Achilles. Peter Paul Rubens made small sketches before producing this work, which in turn served as the basis for a much larger, full-scale version.
The episode is taken from Homer’s Iliad: the goddess Minerva grabs Achilles’s hair to stop him from drawing his sword and attacking his ruler, Agamemnon. Achilles is furious that the king has taken possession of Briseis, a young woman Achilles had enslaved.
The episode is taken from Homer’s Iliad: the goddess Minerva grabs Achilles’s hair to stop him from drawing his sword and attacking his ruler, Agamemnon. Achilles is furious that the king has taken possession of Briseis, a young woman Achilles had enslaved.
Provenance
?DanielFourment, ?Peter Fourment, Antwerp; ?Gerard van der Strecken and others, Brussels – until late 17th century; Dukes of Infantado, Madrid, until 1841; Duke of Osuña, Madrid; Marques of Salamanca, 1st sale, Paris, 3ff. June 1867 (105), 2nd sale, Paris 25f. January, 1875 (67); Dreyfus Sale, G Petit, Paris, 29 May 1889 (109); Vicomte de Lyrot, Paris; Guy Stein, Paris; acquired by Count Seilern from the dealer Guy Stein, Paris before 17 May 1937; Princes Gate Bequest 1978
Exhibition History
Troy: Myth and Reality, The British Museum (Sainsbury Exhibition Gallery), London, 21/11/2019-08/03/2020
National Gallery (to be displayed with permanent collection), National Gallery, London, 01/09/1997-01/06/1998
National Gallery (to be displayed with permanent collection), National Gallery, London, 01/09/1997-01/06/1998
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