The Sacrifice of Polyxena
1647
Witness the tragic final moments of Polyxena, a Trojan princess, in this dramatic Baroque scene. Following the fall of Troy, the ghost of the warrior Achilles demanded a sacrifice at his tomb—the massive stone structure looming in the background decorated with garlands. Polyxena, draped in brilliant blue, appears to faint or surrender to her fate as armored soldiers roughly hold her. The large golden urn in the foreground hints at the funeral rites to come. Painted by a young Charles Le Brun in 1647, this piece showcases the theatrical emotion and dynamic movement that would later make him the favorite artist of King Louis XIV.
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