Aegisthus discovering the body of Clytaemnestra. Colour mezzotint by V. Green, 1786, after B. West, ca. 1780.

  • West, Benjamin, 1738-1820.
Date:
25 March 1786
Reference:
575623i
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Description

An episode in Sophocles' tragedy Electra. Centre, Aegisthus, uncovering the body of Clytaemnestra after her assassination by Orestes. Left, Electra; right, Orestes with two other people, one of them Pylades

Publication/Creation

London (No. 29 Newman Street, Oxford Street) : V. & R. Green : Se vend chez les Freres Torre, Marchands d'estampes, 25 March 1786.

Physical description

1 print : mezzotint, printed in colours ; mount 80.5 x 63 cm

Contributors

Lettering

Aegisthus discovers the body of Clytaemnestra. Vide the Electra of Sophocles, Act V. Scene IV. Painted by B. West, Historical painter to HIs Majesty. Engraved by V. Green, Mezzotinto Engraver to his Majesty, & to the Elector Palatine.

References note

Alfred Whitman, British mezzotinters: Valentine Green, London 1902, no. 247, p.159
Helmut von Erffa and Allen Staley, The paintings of Benjamin West, New Haven, 1986, no. 185, p. 260 (after a lost painting)

Reference

Wellcome Collection 575623i

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