Mythological Scene (The Myth of Hippolytus)
unknown
Basic information
- ID
- Ж-2521
- Author
- unknown
- Name
- Mythological Scene (The Myth of Hippolytus)
- Date of creation
- 1st half of the 18th c.
- Technique
- oil painting
- Material
- copper oil
- Dimensions (height x width, cm)
- 47 x 36.5
Additionally
- Type
- painting
- Genre
- mythological painting
- Plot
- Mythological Scene
- Provenance
- Collection of Leon Pininski
- Exposition
- Potocki Palace
Information about author
Object description
The painting by an unknown artist depicts the final scene from the ancient Greek myth of the youth Hippolytus, whose tragic demise was brought about by the conflict between two goddesses – Aphrodite and Artemis. Stylistically, the artwork demonstrates a pronounced influence of the 17th–18th-century Italian Academic school. The canvas is executed in a warm, restrained palette of ochre, yellow, olive, and brown tones.
Hippolytus was the son of the Athenian king, Theseus, and a passionate devotee of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Offended by such disdain, Aphrodite resolved to punish the youth and instilled an uncontrollable passion for her stepson into the heart of his stepmother, Phaedra. When she confessed her feelings to Hippolytus, he rejected her advances with abhorrence. Overwhelmed by shame and despair, Phaedra took her own life, yet in a suicide note, she falsely accused the young man of attempted rape. Infuriated, Theseus cursed his son, causing him to perish after crashing his chariot.
In the left foreground on the ground lies the mortally wounded Hippolytus, gently supported by his father. Theseus has already learned the truth and forgiven his son. To the right stands Artemis herself, easily recognisable by the crescent moon above her brow, a spear in her hand, and a quiver of arrows behind her back. At the centre of the dynamic composition, seated upon a golden chariot drawn by two horses, is Aphrodite, surrounded by two putti (cupids), observing the tragic consequence of her vengeance. A silent dialogue unfolds between the goddesses: Artemis gazes reproachfully at her rival and gestures with her hand towards the youth, who died innocent due to her caprice and the slander of his stepmother.
Hippolytus was the son of the Athenian king, Theseus, and a passionate devotee of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Offended by such disdain, Aphrodite resolved to punish the youth and instilled an uncontrollable passion for her stepson into the heart of his stepmother, Phaedra. When she confessed her feelings to Hippolytus, he rejected her advances with abhorrence. Overwhelmed by shame and despair, Phaedra took her own life, yet in a suicide note, she falsely accused the young man of attempted rape. Infuriated, Theseus cursed his son, causing him to perish after crashing his chariot.
In the left foreground on the ground lies the mortally wounded Hippolytus, gently supported by his father. Theseus has already learned the truth and forgiven his son. To the right stands Artemis herself, easily recognisable by the crescent moon above her brow, a spear in her hand, and a quiver of arrows behind her back. At the centre of the dynamic composition, seated upon a golden chariot drawn by two horses, is Aphrodite, surrounded by two putti (cupids), observing the tragic consequence of her vengeance. A silent dialogue unfolds between the goddesses: Artemis gazes reproachfully at her rival and gestures with her hand towards the youth, who died innocent due to her caprice and the slander of his stepmother.
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
