Open full image Pin

The Education of Achilles

Giovanni Battista Cipriani

1788

oil

canvas

From the collection of Philadelphia Museum of Art

Rococo painting 18th Century Mythology

Dominant colour

The Education of Achilles is a 1788 oil by Giovanni Battista Cipriani, a Rococo painting work, held at Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Giovanni Battista Cipriani
When & what style?: 1788 · Rococo painting
Where can I see it?: Philadelphia Museum of Art

About this work

The painting depicts a young man with red hair, standing in front of an older man with a long white beard. The younger man is nude, with a red cloth draped over his left shoulder. He holds a spear in his right hand, pointing upwards. The older man stands behind him, also holding the spear with his right hand and pointing forward with his left. The background features trees and a blue sky. The older man appears to be instructing or guiding the younger one, possibly teaching him how to use the spear. The scene is set in a natural environment, with the trees and sky creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. This painting is reminiscent of the works of artist Giovanni Battista Cipriani.