One of Ovid’s most painted stories, still popular, with some of the finest depictions by Poussin, Rubens, Corot, Watts, Scheffer, and others.
Moreau
How a centaur tried to abduct Hercules’ new bride, and the delayed revenge which led to the death of Hercules.
From Richard Parkes Bonington, through AW Hunt, John Brett, Edward Poynter, Delacroix, Rosa Bonheur, Daumier, Gustave Moreau, and Winslow Homer.
A succinct summary of the biography of Degas, told with the aid of 12 of his key works, from history painting to the late landscapes.
An important painting in its social context by Watts, tackling the evils of Victorian Britain, 2 from Moreau, and one of only 3 surviving paintings by a French history painter.
An unusual myth told vividly by Ovid, which appears never to have been painted. But there are some fine engravings, and a marvellous watercolour by Blake.
Friend and biographer of Gustave Moreau, his story and works have now all but vanished. Here are some enigmatic Symbolist paintings.
Three tasks: yoking the fire-breathing bulls and ploughing in dragon’s teeth to generate an army, then getting past the fleece’s guardian dragon.
After short mentions of Pegasus making a new spring with his hoof-print, and the strange Pyreneus, the Muses tell of their contest with the daughters of Pierus, who were turned into magpies.
Hardly painted before 1800, there has since been a succession of brilliant paintings of this story. Its focus has changed, from the tension as Oedipus tries to answer the riddle, to the femme fatale.
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