The Sacrifice of Polyxena 1630 - 1662

Giovanni Francesco Romanelli's "The Sacrifice of Polyxena" (1630-1662) depicts the tragic death of Polyxena, a Trojan princess. The painting, currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, shows Polyxena kneeling as a Greek soldier raises a dagger to sacrifice her. The scene is filled with dramatic tension, enhanced by Romanelli's skillful use of light and shadow, highlighting the agony of Polyxena and the brutality of the act. The scene is a depiction of the aftermath of the Trojan War, showcasing the devastation of war and the human cost of conflict.