Jean-François de Troy, 'The Capture of the Golden Fleece', 1742-3
About the work
Overview
This is the third of a series of seven illustrations of the story of Jason made as sketches for cartoons for the Gobelins tapestry works in Paris. The Gallery also owns the first sketch from the series: Jason swearing Eternal Affection to Medea.
Jason has set out to capture the Golden Fleece, and has used the sorceress Medea’s magic to put to sleep the dragon guarding it. Medea looks up at the Fleece and gestures in wonder towards Jason and the slumbering dragon. Some of the Jason’s shipmates admiringly watch him pull down the Fleece, while others load the Argo ready for the triumphant departure of Jason and Medea.
De Troy made several changes between his sketch of this scene and its related cartoon (Musée d'art Roger-Quilliot, Clermont-Ferrand), perhaps reflecting alterations requested by Philibert Orry, who had commissioned the tapestry series on behalf of the French king.
Key facts
Details
- Full title
- The Capture of the Golden Fleece
- Artist
- Jean-François de Troy
- Artist dates
- 1679 - 1752
- Part of the series
- Sketches for the Story of Jason
- Date made
- 1742-3
- Medium and support
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 55.6 × 81 cm
- Acquisition credit
- Presented by Mr and Mrs Eliot Hodgkin through the Art Fund, 1987
- Inventory number
- NG6512
- Location
- Not on display
- Collection
- Main Collection
- Frame
- 18th-century French Frame
About this record
If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.
Images
About the series: Sketches for the Story of Jason
Overview
Jason swearing Eternal Affection to Medea and The Capture of the Golden Fleece are two of a series of seven illustrations of the story of Jason. Based on episodes in the Roman poet Ovid’s Metamorphoses, they were made as sketches for cartoons for the Gobelins tapestry works in Paris.
The illustrations were commissioned on behalf of the king of France in 1742. The sketches were finished by 15 February 1743 and the full-size painted cartoons were completed by the end of August 1746. They arrived in Paris in September 1748 and weaving began at the Gobelins works the following year. No less than eight complete sets of tapestries were made, including one which was hung in the king’s room and throne room in the palace of Versailles. Another of the tapestry sets is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Works in the series
More works by Jean-François de Troy
