The Anger of Achilles 1819

"The Anger of Achilles" (1819) by Jacques-Louis David depicts the Greek hero Achilles in a moment of intense anger. The scene alludes to the famous episode from Homer's Iliad, where Achilles, enraged by the death of his friend Patroclus, refuses to fight for the Greeks. In the painting, Achilles is shown standing with a grim expression, while a woman dressed in white, likely Andromache, wife of Hector, pleads for peace. This Neoclassical masterpiece, with its emphasis on historical accuracy and emotional intensity, exemplifies the artistic sensibilities of the early 19th century.