The Wrath of Achilles

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Maker


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)

Object Number

P.1978.PG.374

Mode of Acquisition

Count Antoine Seilern, bequest, 1978

Credit

Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

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.

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

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