• Bertel Thorvaldsen

  1770-1844

• Authenticity

  Posthumously done

Hector with Paris and Helen

• Production Date

  1868

• Type of Work / Object

  Sculpture > Relief

• Location

  • Denmark > Copenhagen > Thorvaldsens Museum > Main Floor > Room 7

• Inventory Number

  A774

• Catalogue Number

  A774

• Catalogue Level / Collection

  Thorvaldsen's Art > Thorvaldsen's Sculptures (A)

Explanation

• The scene is taken from Homer’s Iliad, Book 6, verses 318- 369. We are in Troy, which is being besieged by the Greeks. The reason for the siege is that Prince Paris has abducted King Menelaos’ beautiful wife Helen. But now Paris is very reluctant to take the consequences of his act and enter the war of which he himself has been the cause. His brother Hector thinks this too bad, and it is precisely to persuade him to take part in the war that Hector here goes to visit Paris and Helen.

Motif / Theme

• Human > Man > Hector
• Human > Man > Paris / Alexandros
• Human > Woman > Helen

Additional Catalogue Information