Lot 64: Henry Thomson, R.A. , 1773-1843 Eurydice hurried back to the Infernal Regions oil on canvas

inscribed on label, verso; "Euridice hurried back to the Infernal Regions"./ by Henry Thomson, R.A. 1814/ purchased by J. Deffett Francis. July 14th 1880 oil on canvas

measurements note 222 by 202 cm., 87 1/2 by 79 1/2 in.

London, Royal Academy, 1814, no. 176

ENGRAVED
by William Ward

J. Deffett Francis, by 1880

Engraved by William Ward This dramatic and emotionally charged painting depicts the seminal moment in the tragic tale of Orpheus and Eurydice from Greek mythology, as quoted by Virgil. Eurydice, the forest nymph and wife of the Thracian king Orpheus (slain by a poisonous snake on their wedding day) is carried back down into the Underworld. Orpheus has broken the conditions of her release by looking back over his shoulder as they ascend to the living world. Orpheus is depicted here with his golden lyre (a gift from the god Apollo). His hands are clasped in agony at the realisation of what he has done whilst the body of his beloved is physically dragged down into the depths of the Hades. Orpheus was dubbed by Pindar 'the father of songs' and was famed in classical mythology for the ability to charm the beasts and even coax the trees and rocks into dance with his music. A painter, primarily, of mythological and domestic works, as well as portraiture, Henry Thompson entered the Royal Academy schools in 1790, as well as becoming a pupil of John Opie in the same year. In 1793 he visited Paris with his father and travelled in Italy, visiting Parma, Florence, Rome, Venice and all the major cultural destinations, returning to England in 1799, via Vienna and the major German centres. His earliest entry at the annual Academy exhibitions was in 1792 but he did not become a regular contributor until 1800. He was elected an associate member in 1801 and promoted a full Royal Academician in 1804, Prospero and Miranda being his diploma work. In 1825 he succeeded Henry Fuseli as Keeper of the Royal Academy, though he resigned after two years on account of ill health. In 1828 he retired to Portsea, though he continued to exhibit regularly until 1834. Thomson's pictures, extremely popular during the artist's lifetime, are known today chiefly through mezzotint reproductions and it is rare for such a striking and impressive work by the artist to come onto the open market.