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Jean Jacques Bachelier , French, 1724-1806

Title

The Death of Milo of Croton

Date1761

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions

244 x 190 cm

Credit LinePresented, Sir Arthur Guinness, 1856

Object numberNGI.167

ProvenancePresented, Arthur L. Guinness, 1856Exhibition HistorySalon, Paris, 1761

Irish Institution, 1855

Irish Institution, 1856

Irish Institution, 1857

France in the Eighteenth Century, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1968

Label TextMilo of Croton was a Greek wrestler who lived during the 6th century bc. He was renowned for his extraordinary strength. Bachelier was one of many neoclassical artists who depicted Milo’s gruesome demise. He was said to have come across a split tree trunk while walking in a forest, tried to open it with his hands, and became trapped. Unable to free himself, Milo was devoured by wolves. Bachelier’s struggling wrestler was inspired by antique sculpture like the Laocoön Group (Vatican Museums). The scale, drama, and classicism of this historical scene is in keeping with the ideals of French Academic art.