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Apollo and Marsyas

STRUDWICK, John Melhuish (1849 - 1935)

Date: 1879

Media: oil on canvas

Size: 106.5 x 170.0 cm

Acquired: 1916; Gift; Mrs Ivor Griffiths

Accession Number: NMW A 173

A student of Burne-Jones, Strudwick frequently depicted musical themes. According to legend, Marsyas challenged Apollo to a music contest, his flute against the god's lyre. The Muses awarded the victory to Apollo, who tied Marsyas to a tree and flayed him alive. Strudwick has depicted the moment of Judgement. The following verse is written on the back of this painting

Oh ecstasy

Oh happiness of him who once heard

Apollo singing!

As he sang,

I saw the Nine, was lovely pitying eyes,

Sing 'He has conquered'.

Yet I felt no pang

Of fear only deep joy that I have heard such music while I lived,

Even though it brought torture and death.

 

The Epic of Hades

By a new writer

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