Lot 66: Giovanni Tognolli , Bieno 1786 - 1862 Rome the battle of the amazons oil on canvas

signed and dated lower right: G.o Tognoli / Dip. in Roma oil on canvas

measurements note 271 by 450 cm.; 106 5/8 by 177 1/8 in.

Ancient sources refer to a fearsome race of warrior women who dwelt on the banks of the river Thermodon in Scythia in Samartia (the modern day Caucasus). Herodotus (484-425 BC), the father of modern history, relates that they were called 'Oiorpata' or 'man-slayers' in the Scythian language, although today we are more familiar with their Greek name 'Amazons', a name deriving from their practice of removing one of their breasts to enable them to fire their bows with greater ease and accuracy. The present subject is taken from the Life of Theseus by Plutarch (46-127 A.D.) and relates to the audacious invasion of Attica by the Amazons in retaliation for the kidnapping of their Queen Antiope by the Athenian King Theseus, and their subsequent defeat at the hands of the Greeks. The allegorical nature of the battle of matriarchal Amazons and the patriarchal Athenians was very popular and this battle of the sexes was reproduced on numerous occasions from classical times to the present day.
Tognolli worked as a draughtsman in the studio of the leading neoclassical sculptor Antonio (1757-1822), before setting up his own studio in Rome. The present epic treatment of the subject was probably completed while Tognolli was teaching at the British Academy in Rome.