1767

Achilles Laments the Death of Patroclus

Italian, 1726 - 1803

Ancient Greek soldier Achilles, at center, hugs the dead body of Patroclus, his friend, mentor, and lover who was killed by the Trojans. Overcome with grief, Achilles shoves away his approaching fellow soldiers. The armor that Achilles had given Patroclus to protect him lays useless on the ground. This print was part of a series by Cunego that reproduced a cycle of paintings by Gavin Hamilton depicting different events from Homer’s epic The Iliad. Hamilton was lauded during his time for bringing to life the intense dramas and emotions of Homer’s narrative, including Achilles’ expression of love and anguish seen here.