Jupiter and Thetis
Depicting a scene from Homer’s Iliad, in which Thetis begs Jupiter to intervene in the Trojan War, saving the life of her son Achilles, this painting was poorly received by the Paris Salon. The painting, at over 11 by 8 feet, is an immense canvas, and is steeped in the traditions of the classical art of which Ingres was so enamored. Ingres kept the painting his studio until it was purchased by the state in 1834. When it was received at the Paris Salon in 1811, strangely the only artists who recognized the talent were Romantics, Ingres’ hated artistic nemeses.
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