Some of the key paintings telling the story of the grisly death of the satyr Marsyas, who lost his musical contest against Apollo.
narrative
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.
Wherever you are on earth, you should be able to see the constellation of Orion, when clouds permit. What was his story? Only one painting helps.
Rich in wordplay, this story is almost unique to Ovid. It was oddly prescient of his own later banishment too.
The final story in Book 5 tells of the spread of grain cultivation through Europe, and attempted murder.
Marie’s plan to bring peace to Europe is implemented in double royal weddings. The paintings say it brought a new age to France, but history says otherwise.
An introduction to some of the history and panegyric behind Rubens’ Marie de’ Medici Cycle, in the Louvre.
