Achilles Recognised Among the Daughters of Lycomedes

Peter Paul Rubens (in 1630 - 1635)

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noor sa asked

what is the symbolizes of the book that showen on the painting of rubens??
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Noor,

In this painting, the book-like shaped object the women on the left is holding is, in fact, a mirror. According to the myth, objects like mirrors were part of those presented to Achilles and the daughters of King Lychomedes by merchants. Achilles, who had disguised himself as a woman, gave away his true identity when he did not admire any of the baubles generally adored by women, but instead picked up the military equipment.

Kind regards,
Jephta

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To prevent being sent to Troy, Achilles dressed himself as a girl and mixed with the daughters of King Lycomedes. The Greeks Odysseus and Diomedes came there as tradesmen, selling trinkets for women. There were, however, weapons and helmets among the goods. This oil sketch by Rubens shows how Achilles betrays himself by trying on a helmet. This is the third of a series of eight oil sketches by Rubens, based on the life of the Greek hero Achilles.

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Specifications

Title	Achilles Recognised Among the Daughters of Lycomedes
Material and technique	Oil on panel
Object type	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Location	This object is in storage

Dimensions	Width 62 cm Height 45,5 cm Weight 8
Artists	Painter: Peter Paul Rubens
Accession number	2310 (OK)
Credits	Loan Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (former Koenigs collection), 1948
Department	Old Masters
Acquisition date	1948
Creation date	in 1630 - 1635
Internal exhibitions	Schilderkunst uit de eerste hand, Olieverfschetsen van Tintoretto tot Goya (1983)
External exhibitions	Rubens. Painter of Sketches (2018)
Material	Oil > Paint > Artist's material > Material > Material and technique Panel > Worked wood > Wood > Vegetable material > Organic material > Material > Material and technique
Object	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Geographical origin	Southern Netherlands > The Netherlands > Western Europe > Europe

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All about the artist

Peter Paul Rubens

Siegen 1577 - Antwerpen 1640

The Antwerp painter Peter Paul Rubens was appointed court artist to the Duke of Mantua in Italy at a young age. In 1603 he travelled to Madrid, where he was...

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