Who painted The Oath of Semiramis?

The Oath of Semiramis was painted by Pietro da Cortona in 1642.

Where can I see The Oath of Semiramis?

The Oath of Semiramis is held by Ashmolean Museum.

What movement is The Oath of Semiramis?

The Oath of Semiramis is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

The Oath of Semiramis

Pietro da Cortona , 1642

The Oath of Semiramis is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Pietro da Cortona. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1642, *The Oath of Semiramis* is a small‑scale copper painting by the Italian Baroque artist Pietro da Cortona. Executed during the early phase of his career, the work exemplifies Cortona’s dual reputation as a painter and architect active in Rome, where he helped shape the decorative language of Baroque interiors.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates a moment from the legendary narrative of the Assyrian queen Semiramis, a theme that appealed to 17th‑century tastes for historic and mythological episodes. Central figures include a woman in a yellow gown beside a table, another woman in brown holding a spear, and a kneeling man in blue who gestures outward, suggesting an oath being taken or witnessed.

Technique & Style

Rendered on copper, the painting benefits from the medium’s smooth surface, allowing fine detail and luminous color. Cortona employs chiaroscuro to model forms, contrasting the bright yellow dress and blue robe with the darker, more muted background. The arrangement of figures creates a dynamic diagonal thrust, guiding the eye toward the kneeling figure and the archway beyond.

History & Provenance

The work belongs to Cortona’s early Baroque period, predating his later monumental fresco cycles in Roman palaces and churches. While specific ownership records are scarce, the painting reflects the artist’s emerging status in Rome’s artistic circles before his appointment as chief architect of the papal court.

Context

In the 1640s, Roman patrons favored subjects drawn from antiquity and exotic history, using them to display erudition and moral exempla. Cortona’s choice of the Semiramis legend aligns with this trend, offering a dramatic tableau that could be displayed in a private collection or a decorative interior.