Paetus and Arria

Robert Fagan (Cork c.1745 – Rome 1816). Oil painting on canvas, Paetus and Arria by Robert Fagan (Cork c.1745 – Rome 1816), 1793/95. Two full-length figures: Paetus on the left, naked, his weight resting on his left foot, looking to the left but his face is obscured by his right arm which is raised and is in the process of pressing down, a sword, into the top of his left breast, his left hand supports the left arm of the kneeling figure of his wife, dressed in classical robes, who is at his side and whose head is bent down to the left, her right arm hanging so that her fingers touch the ground. Inspired by the antique marble group of the Ludovisi Gaul on semi-circular base, killing himself having killed his wife before the enemy, in the Ludovisi Collection from November 1623 and since 1901 in the Museo Nazionale, Rome (Museo delle Terme). It was called Pyramus and Thisbe in 1638 from Ovid's story and since 1670, Paetus and Arria. Attingham Park, Shropshire (Accredited Museum)