Artwork
Achilles among the Daughters of Lycomedes
Achilles among the Daughters of Lycomedes is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Erasmus Quellinus II. It dates from 1643 and is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum.
About this work
Overview
Achilles among the Daughters of Lycomedes is a 1643 oil painting by Erasmus Quellinus II, a Flemish artist associated with Peter Paul Rubens. It is a representative work of the Flemish Baroque style and is housed in the Groeningemuseum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a scene from mythology where Achilles, disguised as a woman, is among the daughters of Lycomedes. The figure of Achilles, likely the woman in pink holding a helmet, is subtly integrated into the group, highlighting the mythological narrative's focus on deception and concealment.
Technique & Style
Quellinus employed chiaroscuro, a technique using strong contrasts between light and dark, to create a sense of realism and depth. Soft light and shadows are used to model the figures and their surroundings, contributing to the overall Baroque style's characteristic dramatic effect.
Context
The work is characteristic of Flemish Baroque painting, which often drew on classical mythology for its subjects. The use of oil paint allowed for rich, detailed renderings of scenes like this one, which combines figures, architecture, and landscape elements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Erasmus Quellinus the Younger or Erasmus Quellinus II (November 19, 1607 – November 11, 1678) was a Flemish painter, engraver, draughtsman and tapestry designer who worked in various genres including history, portrait, allegorical, battle…
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