Who painted The sacrifice of Polyxena?

The sacrifice of Polyxena was painted by Bertholet Flémal in 1644.

Where can I see The sacrifice of Polyxena?

The sacrifice of Polyxena is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is The sacrifice of Polyxena?

The sacrifice of Polyxena is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

The sacrifice of Polyxena

Bertholet Flémal , 1644

The sacrifice of Polyxena is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Bertholet Flémal. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Bertholet Flémal’s 1644 oil painting, titled The Sacrifice of Polyxena, is part of the collection at Munich’s Alte Pinakothek. The canvas presents a nocturnal tableau populated by several figures, among them a woman in a white garment and a mounted rider. The composition is dominated by deep shadows, punctuated by limited illumination that suggests an architectural backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The work visualises the mythological episode in which Polyxena, daughter of King Priam, is offered as a sacrificial victim after the fall of Troy. The central female figure, clasping another person, conveys the ritual’s solemnity, while the horseman’s upward gaze hints at divine or fatal forces overseeing the act. The overall tone underscores tragedy and piety.

Technique & Style

Flémal employs chiaroscuro to heighten the drama, juxtaposing stark darkness with bright highlights that model the figures and suggest spatial depth. The limited palette and controlled brushwork create a somber atmosphere, while the careful rendering of light on the white robe draws the viewer’s eye to the focal point of the sacrifice.

History & Provenance

Completed in 1644, The Sacrifice of Polyxena entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings during the museum’s early acquisitions of Baroque works. The painting has remained in the German collection since the 19th century, providing scholars with an example of mid‑17th‑century French‑influenced narrative painting.