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Ceyx and Alcyone
In the 1760s Wilson produced a group of pictures illustrating high tragedy, usually taken from classical mythology. This work was shown at the Society of Artists in 1768. According to the Roman author Ovid, Ceyx, King of Tracninia, was drowned while on his way to consult the oracle Claros. His Queen, Alcyone, who learned of the tragedy in a dream, is shown distraught with grief as the ghostly white corpse of her husband is brought ashore. The king and queen were turned into birds - the Alcyones. Reynolds described Wilson's attempts at history painting as 'a very difficult adventure'.
Collection Area
Art
Item Number
NMW A 65
Measurements
Height
(cm): 101.5
Width
(cm): 127
Height
(in): 39
Width
(in): 50
h(cm) frame:130
h(cm)
w(cm) frame:151.5
w(cm)
d(cm) frame:7.5
d(cm)
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