Fifty Days at Iliam. Shades of Achilles, Patroclus, and Hector 1978

Cy Twombly's 1978 piece, *Fifty Days at Iliam. Shades of Achilles, Patroclus, and Hector*, is a triptych that references the epic poem *The Iliad*. The piece is divided into three sections, each featuring an abstract form painted in a different color. The form on the left is painted red and labeled "Achilles," the center form is painted blue and labeled "Patroclus," and the right form is painted in graphite and labeled "Hector," reflecting the characters' fates in the poem. Twombly’s signature gestural style and use of color create a sense of depth and emotional intensity, reflecting the complexities of the characters and the epic story of the Trojan War.