Antiochus and Stratonice

Maker Michele Ciampanti (Italian, active from 1463, died 1521)

Collections

European Painting Highlights

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Dateca. 1470

Mediumtempera on panel

Dimensions17 x 43 in. (43.2 x 109.2 cm.)

DescriptionThis is one of two painted panels (26.120 and 26.121) portraying the ancient love story of Antiochus and Stratonice, which once decorated the front of two wedding chests.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. The Arabella D. Huntington Memorial Art Collection.

Status

On view

Label TextThis panel, together with its compaion piece on the right (#26.121), depicts the tale of Antiochus and Stratonice in a continuous narrative. Prince Antiochus has fallen madly in love with his young stepmother, Stratonice. Rather than reveal his desire, he decides to starve himself. A doctor, shown in red, suspects lovesickness, though he does not know the object of Antiochus' affection.
The narrative reads from left to right:
1. The doctor discovers that though the prince ignores all the beauties of the court who come to visit his sickroom, his pulse races when Stratonice enters.
2. The doctor finds the king, who is in the company of the beautiful Stratonice.
3. He draws the king aside and reveals the cause of the trouble.

Object number26.120