The Sacrifice of Iphigenia

Art Historical Context

In the dramatic oil on canvas *The Sacrifice of Iphigenia* (1789), Gaetano Gandolfi captures a pivotal moment from Greek mythology. The painting depicts the young Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, spared at the altar by the goddess Diana (Artemis in Greek lore), who substitutes a deer in her place to appease the gods and allow the Greek fleet to sail for Troy. Flanking the scene are playful putti—cherubic figures common in Italian art—adding a touch of whimsy amid the tension. Gandolfi, a Bolognese painter of the late 18th century, bridges Baroque drama and emerging Neoclassicism with his fluid brushwork and luminous colors, hallmarks of oil on canvas that bring mythological narratives to vivid life. This modest-sized work (26 7/8 × 18 in.) exemplifies the era's fascination with classical stories, blending emotional intensity with graceful forms during Italy's Enlightenment period. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2015 through the Rogers Fund, it highlights Gandolfi's skill in history painting, inviting visitors to ponder themes of divine mercy and human sacrifice that resonated in grand European salons. A gem for mythology enthusiasts!

About the Artist

Gaetano Gandolfi · 1734–1802

Gaetano Gandolfi (1734–1802) was an Italian painter and draughtsman who, together with his older brother Ubaldo Gandolfi, represented the finest flowering of the Bolognese school during the eighteenth century. Born in San Matteo della Decima, he trained in Bologna under Felice Torelli and Ercole Lelli before entering the Accademia Clementina, the leading artistic institution in the city, where he ...