Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts

Biagio d'Antonio Italian

Not on view

In this and its companion panel, the story of Jason and the Argonauts unfolds in a continuous narrative. In the first panel, Jason is charged by King Pelias to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Jason then mounts his horse and consults the centaur Chiron on Mount Pelion together with Hercules and Orpheus. In the distance is Jason's ship, the Argo.

In this panel, King Aëetes and his daughters Medea and Chalciope meet Jason and his companions. At center, Jason plows the grove of Ares, where the Golden Fleece is guarded, while Orpheus lulls the dragon to sleep so that Jason may steal the fleece. At right, the king sends his sons off to capture the fleeing Jason and Medea. For more information about these two paintings, including a complete account of the narrative, visit metmuseum.org.

The engaged moldings of the panel are original; the pictures were probably installed as the backrests of two benches or were framed in the wainscoting of a room. As was often the case, more than one painter was involved.

#5216. Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts, Part 1

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  1. 5216. Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts, Part 1
  2. 5064. Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts, Part 2
Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts, Biagio d'Antonio (Italian, Florentine, active by 1472–died 1516), Tempera on wood, gilt ornaments

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