Peter Paul Rubens
The death of Achilles
1630 - 1635
old masters
Achilles was killed by Paris, the son of the Trojan king Priam, when he was waiting the arrival of Polyxena, the daughter of Priam, in the temple of Apollo Thymbraeus. While Achilles was making a sacrifice in honour of his forthcoming marriage to Polyxena, Paris, assisted by Apollo, shot him in his only vulnerable spot - the heel. The last sketch in the series shows Paris on the left next to Apollo, shooting the arrow. The dying Achilles is supported by a man who has been identified as Automedon or Odysseus. The priest looks at Achilles in despair, a third figure, Antilochus, turns away in fear towards Paris and Apollo. This is the last of a series of eight oil sketches showing scenes from the life of the Greek hero Achilles.
