A group of popular mythical heroes set out to kill a fearsome wild boar sent by Diana in vengeance. It turns into farcical tragedy, and some superb paintings.
myth
The popular story told concisely by Ovid, and painted brilliantly by van Dyck, Leighton, Rubens, Brueghel, and others.
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.
One of Ovid’s best stories of a tragic end to a blissful marriage, with superb paintings by Veronese, Poussin, Rubens, and others.
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.
A link between the downfall of Medea and a series of stories about the hero Theseus, this was a subject for the Prix de Rome. Includes a little-known Poussin.
The decline and fall of Medea, as her sorcery is used for murder, and she kills her own infant sons. Paintings by Delacroix, Turner, and others.
An unusual story of sorcery used to restore youth has seldom been painted – even after Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein became popular.
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.
Two different legends about Sir Lancelot and a woman falling in love with him. Both are told here with a selection of fine paintings.
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