Hector Lying Dead

Briton Rivière 1840 - 1920

Summary

Classical scene depicting the dead, naked body of Hector thrown into the wilderness by Achilles. Hector lies on a sandbank surrounded by wolves circling his body; one is visible in the foreground to the left and two can be seen in the background on the shore of the sea. A rocky cliff face is visible in the distance beneath a dark overcast sky.

Display Label

Hector Lying Dead exhibited 1892 Briton Rivière 1840 - 1920 Oil on canvas This painting illustrates a story from Greek legend. During the Trojan war, the Greek hero Achilles killed the Trojan warrior Hector. Achilles dragged Hector’s dead body behind his chariot around the city of Troy, then left it for the wild dogs to devour. According to legend, the god Apollo assisted Hector by gathering clouds to shield his body from the sun. The goddess Aphrodite anointed him with scented oil and protected him from the dogs. This enabled the Trojans to retrieve the body and give their hero a proper funeral. Rivière was known for painting animals, mainly dogs. His knowledge was based on sound anatomical study and frequent visits to London Zoo. Even in this painting, where the body is the focus, the story enabled him to include some animals. James Gresham bequest 1917.259