Rubens - Briseis given back to Achilles [1630-35]

Peter Paul Rubens -

Briseis given back to Achilles [1630-35]

53.356 Detroit Institute of Arts

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This small panel is part of a series of eight oil sketches made for a group of tapestries depicting the story of Achilles, one of the heroes of the Greek epic poem the Illiad. As if on a stage, all the important characters are present. The painting is remarkable for the apparent swiftness and ease of its execution, the brightness of palette, and the sensitive rendering of the protagonists' emotions.

During the Greeks' campaign against Troy, Achilles had been awarded the lovely Briseis as part of his share of the booty. When the expedition leader Agamemnon took her for himself, Achilles refused to participate in any further battles. He reconsidered, however, after his best friend Patroclus was killed and Agamemnon restored Briseis untouched to him.

 

www.dia.org/art/collection/object/briseis-given-back-achi...

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A very comprehensive and useful description of the story and the components of Rubens' series of eight scenes from the life of Achilles (from the draft over the modello to the final tapestries)

medium.com/@kv.achilles/the-life-of-achilles-epic-tapestr...

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