Odysseus Recognises Achilles amongst the daughters of Lycomedes

Louis Gauffier (1761 - 1801)

Artist/Maker

Artist: Louis Gauffier (1761 - 1801)

DatesSigned: Signed 1791

Material / Technique

Oil on canvas

Dimensionsh x w: Mått 81,5 x 114 cm h x l x d: Ram 101 x 133,5 x 7,5 cm

Inventory numberNM 7067

AcqusitionPurchase 2010

Other titlesTitle (sv): Odysseus upptäcker Akilles bland Lykomedes döttrar Title (en): Odysseus Recognises Achilles amongst the daughters of Lycomedes

DescriptionDescription: Achilles’ mother, Thetis, feared for her son’s fate. Disguised as a woman, he was hidden among King Lycomedes’ daughters in an attempt to avoid being conscripted to fight the Trojan War. But the cunning Odysseus had learned of his hiding place, and had various gifts presented to the daughters, including some weapons. He then had a battle trumpet played, knowing that a soldier like Achilles would reach for the nearest weapon, and indeed he did.

Motif categoryReligion/Mythology

Collection

Paintings (Paintings)

Geographical origin

Geographical origin: Rome (Italy)

MaterialOil paint, Duk

TechniquePainting

Keyword

Religion/Mytologi

External links

Wikidata: http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q43249142

Additional texteDescription: This painting was made two years after the French Revolution. It was executed in Rome in 1791, and exhibited at the Paris Salon that same year. Greco-Roman subjects were often used to illustrate current moral issues; the matter here relates to the duty to sacrifice oneself for a higher cause. The scene is from the legend of the Trojan War. In an attempt to escape a prophesy of premature death, the young hero Achilles had been disguised by his mother and hidden among the daughters of Lycomedes. But he was cunningly discovered – Odysseus (to the left) hid a helmet and a sword among his gifts to the girls. Achilles could not resist the lure of the weapons and revealed his identity. He was forced into battle, where he died heroically.