Helena is welcomed by Hector upon her arrival in Troy
1677 - 1755
Elias van Nijmegen captures a pivotal moment from Greek mythology in this lively sketch: the arrival of Helen in Troy. You can see Helen kneeling, looking perhaps a bit overwhelmed, while the Trojan prince Hector gestures a welcome in front of a looming city tower. The artist used quick, energetic pen strokes and washes of pale yellow and grey, giving it the feel of a theatrical stage set or a storyboard for a historical epic. The Dutch caption at the bottom confirms the scene, noting that Helen has just landed and is being received by Hector—ironic, considering her arrival would soon trigger the entire Trojan War!