Captive Andromache
Circa 1886-1888
Imagine being the ultimate outsider in a bustling crowd, and you'll understand the tragedy of Andromache. Here, the widow of the Trojan hero Hector stands draped in heavy, mourning black, completely isolated after being taken as a war prize following the fall of Troy. While the women around her in vibrant oranges and blues gossip and fetch water, casting curious glances at the 'foreigner,' she remains lost in her grief. Frederic Leighton, a giant of the Victorian Academic movement, created this massive scene to showcase his obsession with classical beauty and historical drama, turning a moment of ancient sorrow into a polished, emotional spectacle.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Material
- Canvas
Location: Lady Lever Art Gallery