Description
The painting "Queen Tomyris Receiving the Head of Cyrus, King of Persia" by Mattia Preti is an impressive work that draws attention with its dramatic and detailed composition. The work captures the moment when Queen Tomyris receives the head of the Persian king Cyrus after having defeated him in battle.
Preti's artistic style in this work is Baroque, which is reflected in the intricacy of the composition and attention to detail in clothing and objects. Queen Tomyris is depicted in a majestic posture, with a red cloak spreading behind her and a golden crown shining on her head. The Persian king's head, on the other hand, is depicted with stark realism, with eyes closed and mouth open.
Color is also an interesting aspect of this work. Red and gold are the main colors, evoking a feeling of power and wealth. However, there are also darker, muted tones at the bottom of the painting, suggesting the pain and violence of the battle.
The story behind the painting is also fascinating. Queen Tomyris was a Scythian leader who ruled in the 6th century BC and faced the Persian king Cyrus in a battle that resulted in his victory. Legend has it that Tomyris ordered the Persian king's head to be cut off and immersed in a vessel filled with blood, as an act of revenge for his son's death in battle.
A little known aspect of this work is that it was created by Mattia Preti while in Malta, where he had established himself as an artist and where he is known as "Il Cavaliere Calabrese" after his origin in Calabria, Italy. The painting was commissioned by the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Ramón Perellos y Roccaful, and is currently in the Palace of the Grand Masters in Valletta.
In summary, the painting "Queen Tomyris Receiving the Head of Cyrus, King of Persia" by Mattia Preti is an impressive work that combines drama, realism and history in a detailed and colorful baroque composition. It is a work that is not only beautiful, but also tells a fascinating story that is still relevant today.