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* This information may change as the result of ongoing research.
Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre (French, 1713–1789)
The Death of Harmonia
Oil on canvas
77 1/2 x 58 1/4 in. (196.9 x 148 cm)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harry N. Abrams, by exchange, 1969
69.129
Harmonia, the daughter of the king of Syracuse, was threatened by a band of conspirators who had murdered her family. To save her life, she exchanged clothes with a slave girl who, dressed as the princess, was murdered. Moved by the courage of the girl, Harmonia revealed her identity and was also killed.

Critics praised the picture as full of fire when it was exhibited at the Salon of 1751. It was engraved by C. N. Cochin that same year.