The Head of Cyrus brought to Queen Tomyris
after Sir Peter Paul Rubens (Siegen 1577 - Antwerp 1640)
Category
Art / Prints
Date
1590
Materials
Ink on paper.
Measurements
410 x 575 mm
Collection
Saltram, Devon
NT 873018.6.60
Caption
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1891-0414-894
Summary
(Folio 30, recto) The queen standing on a dais underneath a canopy at right, followed by servants and her train supported by two boys, while looking down at Cyrus' head, which is being dipped into a vessel with blood at centre, soldiers and wise men onlooking at left, a dog in lower left, twisted columns in background; after a painting by Peter Paul Rubens in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, inv.no.41.40
Marks and inscriptions
Lower margin: Lettered in lower margin with production details and one line of Latin and one line of French: "P. Paulus Rubens pinxit." and "Ragot fecit Cum Priuilegio Regis" and "Typis Petri Mariette via Iacoboea ad Insigne Spei" and "Satia te Sanguine quem semper sitisti / Thomyris Royne des Scytes ayant deffaict le Grand Cyrus Premier Roy des Perses luy fict couper la Teste et la faisant plonger dans un vaisseau rempli de Sang Humain disoit Soulle toy du Sang duquel tu ne t'es peu rassasier estant en vie.".
Makers and roles
after Sir Peter Paul Rubens (Siegen 1577 - Antwerp 1640), creator Mariette, Pierre, publisher