Scene illustrating the story of the Golden Fleece
Pietro da Cortona (Pietro Berrettini)
- Art Funded
- 1941
- Dimensions
- 40 x 53 cm
- Vendor
- Christie's
The drawing shows Medea assisting Jason in removing the fleece from the branches of the tree, while the dragon that guarded the fleece sleeps from a potion administered by Medea.
On the left stands Orpheus playing a viola, while behind him is the ship Argo. The temple is presumably that of Mars, since the legend related that the fleece was preserved in a grove dedicated to this god. The old man accompanying two of Jason's companions and directing them to the fleece is presumably a priest of the temple. Taken from N. Turner, 'Italian Drawings in the BM, Roman Baroque Drawings', London, 1999.