.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
拍品專文
This composition depicts one of the most notable tales of the Trojan War, illustrating the moment when Troilos (Troilus), the young Trojan prince, is murdered by Achilles. Troilos was one of the sons of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. Due to his extraordinary beauty, however, it was believed that he was actually fathered by the god Apollo. According to Greek mythology, an oracle prophesied that Troy would not fall as long as Troilos lived to the age of twenty. Spurred by this prophecy, Athena encouraged Achilles to kill him.
Troilos’s death holds symbolic significance, representing the futility of the Trojans' efforts to defend their city and way of life. In retaliation, Apollo avenged his son's death by killing Achilles, and after the sack of Troy, brings Hecuba to Lycia.
This figural group is modeled directly after an ancient example in the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Troilos is shown on horseback, moments before his death, his torso contorted in a tense struggle to remain mounted. While many depictions portray Achilles on a larger scale to emphasize his heroic stature in the Trojan War, the example in Santa Barbara presents both figures at a relative scale. This purpose of this choice may have been to elevate Troilos as a war hero in his own right and perhaps reflects the intent or values of the original commission.
Troilos’s death holds symbolic significance, representing the futility of the Trojans' efforts to defend their city and way of life. In retaliation, Apollo avenged his son's death by killing Achilles, and after the sack of Troy, brings Hecuba to Lycia.
This figural group is modeled directly after an ancient example in the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Troilos is shown on horseback, moments before his death, his torso contorted in a tense struggle to remain mounted. While many depictions portray Achilles on a larger scale to emphasize his heroic stature in the Trojan War, the example in Santa Barbara presents both figures at a relative scale. This purpose of this choice may have been to elevate Troilos as a war hero in his own right and perhaps reflects the intent or values of the original commission.