Achilles and Penthesilea
Nordic Neoclassical School, circa 1800
White marble sculpture group
This emotionally charged marble group depicts the tragic encounter between Achilles and Penthesilea, queen of the Amazons, in a moment drawn from the Trojan War cycle.
As Achilles delivers the fatal blow, he is struck by instant remorse and love, a powerful fusion of heroism, violence, and romantic pathos that captivated Neoclassical imagination.
The composition reflects the influence of Antonio Canova, as well as the Nordic artists active in Rome, notably Johan Tobias Sergel (1740–1814) and Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844), whose works merged classical idealism with expressive emotion.
The subject appealed to Grand Tour collectors for its noble drama and mythological grandeur.
Dimensions: H. 47 cm (including 8 cm base) – W. 46 cm – D. 37 cm
