Artwork

King Hieron II of Syracuse Calls on Archimedes to Fortify the City

King Hieron II of Syracuse Calls on Archimedes to Fortify the City is an oil painting by Sebastiano Ricci. It dates from 1706 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Sebastiano Ricci’s oil painting, executed circa 1706, captures a moment from ancient Syracuse in which the ruler Hieron II seeks the counsel of the mathematician‑engineer Archimedes. The work belongs to the late Baroque phase of Venetian art and is presently housed in the National Gallery of Ireland.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents King Hieron II engaged in strategic discussion with Archimedes, emphasizing the alliance of political authority and scientific ingenuity in the defense of a city. By foregrounding this historic consultation, the painting underscores the value placed on intellectual expertise in matters of warfare and civic protection.

Technique & Style

Ricci employs a luminous palette and vigorous brushwork characteristic of the Baroque grand manner, drawing on the influence of Pietro da Cortona. The figures are rendered with dynamic poses and dramatic lighting, creating a sense of movement that heightens the narrative tension between ruler and scholar.

History & Provenance

Created in the early eighteenth century, the canvas reflects Ricci’s mature period when he was active across Italy and Europe. After changing hands among private collections, the painting entered the National Gallery of Ireland, where it remains part of the institution’s Baroque holdings.