Antiochus and Stratonice

Artistpossibly Richard Samuel (British, active from about 1768, died 1787)

Date1770s

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionscanvas: 101.6 x 127 cm (40 x 50 in.)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Terms

Object number1920.103

Label TextThe attribution of this work has long been questioned. The painting was purchased by the Museum as by Benjamin West, but was subsequently given to Richard Samuel, who in 1775 was recorded to have exhibited a painting of the same subject. Recently a third attribution has been suggested; the British artist James Barry (1741-1806). The story of Antiochus and Stratonice is a marvelous romance. Antiochus, the son of Seleucus, King of Syria, fell ill and was close to death, and physicians could not discover the cause. When his lovely young stepmother, Stratonice, entered the sickroom, his pulse leaped and the doctors realized that he was pining away for love of her. His generous father, informed of the situation, blessed the union of his wife and son.ProvenanceCarroll Galleries, London England

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