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Achilles
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James Thornhill18th Century Neoclassical Oil Painting of the Trojan War: Briseis
Achillescirca 1710
circa 1710
$24,544.96
£18,000
€20,901.41
CA$33,821.78
A$37,178.38
CHF 19,518.47
MX$442,077.62
NOK 250,661.53
SEK 228,325.56
DKK 156,167.08
About the Item
James Thornhill (1674-1735)
Oil on canvas
12 x 14 inches;
16 ½ x 18 ½ in. Inc. frame
The subject matter and inclusion of herms on both sides shows the influence of Louis Laguerre (1663-1721) and Louis Cheron (1655-1725), two French history painters who were both employed in England to make large mural and ceiling decorations around the end of the 17th Century. The English painter James Thornhill became well known for reusing their devices and mythological themes a few years later. Thornhill received two of the most prestigious commissions in London: the painted decorations of Greenwhich Hospital and the dome of St Paul's Cathedral.
Besides these enormous ceilings, lots of sketches by Thornhill are held in public collections, such as the one in the Courtauld Institute that shows the same handling of figures and smooth brushwork as the painting on offer. Furthermore, episodes from the Trojan War were very fashionable at the time. The bearded man dressed in white is a priest and is leading a woman, Briseis, who has been taken prisoner and given as a war prize to the renowned warrior, Achilles. When the Greeks decided to release Briseis and Chrysies (the other woman held captive) to calm the Gods and allow their victory over the Trojans, all did not go to plan and Agamemnon claimed Briseis to replace Chryseis as his new mistress. This enraged Achilles who decided to stop fighting in protest. Such a loss amongst the Achaeans soldiers seriously threatened their position against the Trojans so Agamemnon recinded and gave Briseis back to Achilles. The moment depicted in this painting shows the very moment when Briseis meets Achilles again.
A drawing preserved in Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria under the same name of James Thornhill confirms this attribution with a composition study where Briseis is surrounded by the Greeks in the centre and Achilles rushing towards her.
It is likely that the painting on offer was originally intended for Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire which was decorated by Thornhill around 1710 with the 'Life of Achilles'. In fact one of the scenes depicted at Hanbury is the immediate predecessor in the story - 'Briseis taken by Agamemnon to Achilles'.
- Creator:James Thornhill (1674 - 1735)
- Creation Year:circa 1710
- Dimensions:Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Width: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU67338421632
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