A story of murder by a would-be lover, or perhaps of voyeuristics obsession. How Polyphemus murdered Acis, as shown by Claude, Tischbein, Moreau, Redon, and others.
Metamorphoses
A small selection of the wonderful coastal landscapes painted by Claude Lorrain or Gellée.
Aeneas’ first port of call is the island of Delos, where its king and priest tells the story of his four daughters turned into white doves. With a superb landscape by Claude.
With Troy ablaze, Aeneas prepares to flee the city. He and his wife persuade Aeneas’ father to be carried on his son’s back.
A look back at some of my favourite articles on painters and painting, from Moreau and Salome, to Merson’s tame wolf.
Troy is sacked and burning, and its women being taken away as trophies. Two stories stress the horror, as a princess is sacrificed for fair winds, and a callous murder is avenged.
Ajax and Ulysses put their claims to the Greek leaders to be given the arms and armour of Achilles, after his death. The outcome is a shock.
A curious short tale of an unfortunate death, then the divine conspiracy which led to the death of its greatest warrior, Achilles, in the Trojan War. More Rubens…
The ultimately disastrous wedding feast ends with its guests killing one another in a series of pitched battles, after one guest tried to abduct the bride.
Greek and Trojan forces join battle, with casualties on both sides. Two stories, one of a defeated warrior changing into a swan, the other of a woman changing into a man.
The Eclectic Light Company 