- Bertel Thorvaldsen 1770-1844
Achilles and Penthesilea. Hercules and Hebe. Apollo Unveils the Ephesian Diana
- Ca. 1807
- Drawing
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Location
- C16
Explanation
- The drawing is dominated by a number of variations on the scene in which Achilles is holding the dying Penthesilea, the queen of the Amazons, in his arms. In soft, flowing lines, Thorvaldsen has sought to determine various motifs for positions, turned to the right or the left and with clear emphasis on Achilles’ physical strength. Less psychologically fascinating, but not less important in Thorvaldsen’s array of motifs, is the small sketch at the top right of Hebe reaching out her bowl to Hercules. Finally, the drawing shows a sketch representing Apollo drawing the veil from the Ephesian Diana.
Motif / Theme
- Human > God > Apollon / Apollo
- Human > God > Heracles / Hercules
- Human > Goddess > Hebe / Juventas
- Human > Man > Achilles
- Human > Woman > Penthesilea
- General Subject > Homer
- Theme > Emotion > Infatuation
- Theme > Emotion > Grief
- Theme > Condition > Death
Dimension
- Height 432 mm
- Width 286 mm
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- Bequest from Bertel Thorvaldsen
- March 24, 1844