Panthea, Cyrus, and Araspas 1631 - 1634

This painting by Laurent de La Hyre, completed between 1631 and 1634, depicts a scene from the romance novel "Theagenes and Chariclea" by Greek writer Heliodorus. "Panthea, Cyrus, and Araspas" features three figures, Panthea, Cyrus and Araspas, in an elaborate setting. Cyrus, on the left, points to a group of soldiers seen through a doorway. The background shows the beginnings of a battle scene while Araspas, on the right, stares down at a ring on his finger, caught in a moment of conflicted emotion. This work is a great example of the French Classical style with its emphasis on balance, clarity, and rational order. The painting is currently part of the collection at The Art Institute of Chicago.