The Fall of Phaeton
Artist
Sodoma
(Italian, 1477–1549)
Dateafter 1500
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionscanvas: 64.1 x 56.8 cm (25 1/4 x 22 3/8 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Terms
Object number1925.121
Label TextGiovanni Antonio Bazzi, known as Il Sodoma, was born at Vercelli, where he apprenticed to Martino Spanzorti for seven years. After 1500, Sodoma is recorded working mainly in Siena.
The second canvas depicts the fall of Phaeton, a son of Apollo. After recklessly driving Apollo’s sun-chariot, wreaking havoc with the weather on earth, Phaeton is struck down by one of Jupiter’s thunderbolts. His weeping sisters transform into trees, while his friend Cygnus laments, and turns into a swan.ProvenanceRaymond Henniker-Heaton, Worcester MAOn View
Not on view
