Follower of Sébastien BOURDON (1616–1671)
Ulysses Discovering Astyanax in Hector’s Tomb
Oil on canvas
French School, 17th century
Dimensions: 86 × 116 cm
Original painting held at: National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa
This powerful painting, attributed to a follower of Sébastien Bourdon, a major figure of 17th-century French Classicism, depicts a dramatic episode from the Trojan War: Ulysses discovering Astyanax, son of Hector, hidden in his father’s tomb.
Charged with emotional intensity, the composition reflects the tragic and heroic themes typical of Baroque storytelling, where fate, sacrifice, and the fall of Troy resonate with classical pathos. The original version is housed at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa.
