The Death of Achilles

Peter Paul Rubens (in 1630 - 1635)

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Daivs asked

Is there any videos or images taken of this painting? I've only come across one picture of it on display, and it was shown briefly in both videos about The Wrath of Achilles (which were made by this museum). This is one of my favorite pieces and I would love to see it. I understand its in depot and renovations are going on, but maybe there media from before then. Thanks!
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Davis, Thank you for your question. I'm afraid that you have seen most of the images that are available. There are three options: 1) you could come to the depot, get a ticket for a free guided tour and then be so lucky that your tour visits the storage room for paintings (A2.13). 2) you can book a custom made guided tour; this tour is not free of charges. 3) Since a few months you also have the option of a private viewing. You come to the depot, to one of the study rooms, and our art handlers bring the piece from the storage and bring it back to the storage. This service is not free either. Kind regards, Els
Jerdja asked

Which sources or texts that Rubens chose as the references for making The Life of Achilles painting series, especially the scene of Achilles' death?
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Jerdja, for this question you need to consult literature about Rubens and his working practice. I would start with the book I mentioned before: The Life of Achilles by Friso Lammertse et al. Kind regards,
Els
Jerdja Rujirat asked

I wonder if the animals in front of Achilles (a fox and a griffon?) are symbolics. What do they mean?
The pillar on the left and right depicted of whom, Venus and Apollo? And if the snake on the right is Python, why does it appear in this scene?
Thank you.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Jerdja, thanks for asking. As Achilles is hit in his heel by the poisonous arrow, the scene is mirrored by a fox attacking an eagle. The Greek hero is compared to an eagle and Paris (sneakily led by Apollo) to a wily fox. I am not sure about the snake, it might be symbolizing evil and treason, as a snakes do more often. The whole series of oil sketches has been described and explained in a book by Friso Lammertse, our former curator of old art: The Life of Achilles. You might find it in a good art library. Good luck with your research! Els
Paul Nadzikewycz asked

Original tapestry value
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Hi Paul, as a museum we usually don't make statements about the value of objects. Best, Rianne

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More information

Read aloud

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.

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Specifications

Title	The Death of Achilles
Material and technique	Oil on panel
Object type	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Location	This object is in storage

Dimensions	Height Error: 45,3 is not a valid BCD value cm Width 46 cm
Artists	Painter: Peter Paul Rubens
Accession number	1760 e (OK)
Credits	Gift D.G. van Beuningen, 1933
Department	Old Masters
Acquisition date	1933
Creation date	in 1630 - 1635
Collector	Collector / D.G. van Beuningen
Internal exhibitions	Petrus Paulus Rubens in het Museum Boijmans (1933) Schilderkunst uit de eerste hand, Olieverfschetsen van Tintoretto tot Goya (1983) The Collection Enriched (2011) De collectie als tijdmachine (2017)
Material	Panel > Worked wood > Wood > Vegetable material > Organic material > Material > Material and technique Oil > Paint > Artist's 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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