Two different legends about Sir Lancelot and a woman falling in love with him. Both are told here with a selection of fine paintings.
myth
One famous painting of Hypatia, based on Queen Victoria’s favourite novel, and a handful of others – a fascinating glimpse of a promising artist.
The North Wind carries off his betrothed, in eight superb paintings by Rubens, Boucher, Evelyn De Morgan, and others. A miniature history of painting.
This wonderful late oil sketch by Rubens shows a man walking his dog on a Mediterranean beach. It tells a fascinating story of an ancient industry, and the dress of the most wealthy and privileged few.
One king trusts his daughter into the care of his son-in-law, another king. What happens next is horrific, and shown brilliantly by Artemisia Gentileschi and Rubens.
Some of the key paintings telling the story of the grisly death of the satyr Marsyas, who lost his musical contest against Apollo.
A clutch of myths about individual Amazons reveal more about their role in affirming role models in Greek and subsequent society. With some fine paintings too.
More popular today than in classical Greece, these warrior women could have been an opportunity to redress the balance between genders. Here they are at war.
A lighter and formerly very popular story brings to light some masterly paintings, including a superb work by Jan Brueghel the Elder.
Niobe had seven sons and seven daughters, which must have made her better than Latona, who only had 2 children. Snag was, there were Apollo and Diana.
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