Theseus standing over the slain Minotaur in Crete
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Theseus standing over the slain Minotaur in Crete
Theseus standing over the slain Minotaur in Crete.. Painting showing Theseus standing over the slain Minotaur in Crete. He leads the young Athenians out of the cave, while Dyctinna, the Cretan Diana, sits on a rock with her bow and quiver. Discovered in a large room in Resina in 1739. Copperplate engraved by Tommaso Piroli from his own Antichita di Ercolano (Antiquities of Herculaneum), Rome, 1789
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Media ID 14196847
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
Antichitadiercolano Antiquitiesofherculaneum Crete Minotaur Pompeii Slain Theseus Tommasopiroli
EDITORS COMMENTS
This painting depicts the legendary Greek hero Theseus standing triumphantly over the slain Minotaur in the heart of Crete. The year is 1789, and this masterpiece was discovered in a grand room in Resina, now known as Ercolano, during the excavations of the ancient Roman city. The painting was later copperplate engraved by Tommaso Piroli, an accomplished artist, as part of his renowned collection, "Antichita di Ercolano" or "Antiquities of Herculaneum." The scene unfolds with Theseus, a young and determined Athenian prince, having successfully navigated the Labyrinth and slain the fearsome Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature that had been terrorizing Crete for years. The Minotaur lies defeated at Theseus' feet, its strength and ferocity now replaced by submission and defeat. Meanwhile, the young Athenians, who had been taken as sacrifices to the Minotaur, are seen following Theseus out of the cave, their relief and gratitude evident on their faces. In the background, the goddess Diana, known as Dyctinna in Crete, sits calmly on a rock, her bow and quiver at the ready. She watches over the scene, a symbol of the balance between life and death, and the power of the gods in the human world. This painting is a testament to the rich history and mythology of ancient Greece and Rome, offering a glimpse into the stories and legends that have shaped Western civilization. It is a reminder of the enduring power of art to capture the imagination and transport us to another time and place.
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