The better half is writing an article on Philoctetes, the Greek warrior favored by Herakles, who suffered a snake wound, abandonment by his comrades and psychological agony.
My task of course was to find suitable images.
So here they are.
Nicolai AbrahamAbildgaard
The Wounded Philoctetes
1775
Upon entering his own funeral pyre, Hercules entrusted Philoctetes with his bow and poisoned arrows, with which Philoctetes shot Paris. A final victory for the Greeks in the Trojan War.
His comrades proved to be far less valiant.
Guido Reni
Heracles and the Hydra (snake theme)
1620
Philoctetes and his mates were advised by an oracle to make a sacrifice to the god Chryse. As Philoctetes had made a similar sacrifice with Hercules in his youth, (the two seemed to be un-naturally close) Philoctetes was chosen to lead the way. As first man in line, he encounters a snake and suffers a vicious bite.
Nicolas Poussin
Landscape with a Man Frightened by a Snake
1633-35
Montreal Museum of Fine Art
(interesting note, this painting was purchased by the Bloomsbury artist duncan Grant in 1920)
So painful the bite, his howling made the sacrifice impossible to perform. Irritated by his incessant agony and quite stinky festering wound, his loyal comrades abandon him to the nearby island of Lemnos. As Hephaestus had his own foul smelling shop there no one would be bothered by his wails and stench.
Nice fellows.
Jean Germain Drovais 1763-1788
Philoctetes on the Island of Lemnos
1788
Andrea Mantegna
Hephaestus
1497
Frankly, not sure how the story ends, seems to be a bunch of angst, will need to read the Beloved’s paper.
Until then, beefcake with wounds.
Jean-Simon Berthélemy 1743-1811
Death of a Gladiator
(I know not Greek, but hot, and a local favorite)
1773
It has been quite some time since I posted but early in September, the very handsome Andy Whitfield died, without being glib, he was known for having played a particularly striking gladiator. I confess I have never seen the show, but this Welshman, of quite striking looks was difficult not to notice. To die so young, 39, adds to the pathos.
Recquiscat in Pace
I appreciate the patience of my readers, my classes have been quite difficult, even this abbreviated post has taken me away from tasks that need attending to. Until next time, take care, Babylon Baroque
Babylon Baroque 