Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestes
Lord Frederic Leighton
- Art Funded
- 1993
- Dimensions
- 19 x 37 cm
- Vendor
- Christie's
According to Greek mythology, Alcestis, wife of Admetus, was willing to sacrifice herself so that her husband, who had angered Artemis, could live.
In Euripedes's play, 'Hercules Furens', Hercules, a guest at Admetus's palace at the time of his wife's death, goes after Death and wrestles with him for the body of Alcestis and wins her back.
Provenance
Ernest Brown & Philips, London, Christie's 5/3/93 lot 94.