King Candaules of Lydia - Jean-Léon Gérôme
Jean-Léon Gérôme
- Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified paper
- Made in the UK
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
- Secure checkout · faulty or damaged replaced free
Jean-Léon Gérôme's *King Candaules of Lydia* portrays the moment when King Candaules reveals his wife's beauty to his bodyguard, a decision that precipitates betrayal and murder. This historical painting captures a scene of voyeurism and its tragic consequences.
Jean-Léon Gérôme's 1859 painting, *King Candaules of Lydia*, depicts a scene from Herodotus's *Histories*. Candaules, the king of Lydia, is shown revealing his wife Nyssia's beauty to his bodyguard Gyges without her consent. This act of voyeurism leads to tragic consequences, as Nyssia, dishonoured, later demands Gyges murder Candaules in retribution. The painting captures the moment of transgression, with Candaules reclining in bed while Gyges peers at the partially draped Nyssia. The setting is an opulent bedchamber, complete with classical architectural details and rich fabrics, which adds to the sense of decadent voyeurism. Gérôme's meticulous attention to detail and realistic rendering of textures are typical of the Academic style. The composition is carefully arranged to draw the viewer's eye to Nyssia, who is the central figure in the unfolding drama. The painting explores themes of power, desire, and the consequences of violating privacy. Gérôme's work reflects the 19th-century fascination with historical and mythological subjects, as well as the era's interest in exploring complex human relationships.
King Candaules of Lydia - Jean-Léon Gérôme
Sale price£28.00
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Crafted for a Lifetime
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Premium materials
Solid wood frames, UV-protected acrylic glaze, and archival backing for lasting durability.
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Museum-grade prints
12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified 200gsm fine art paper, with lifetime fade resistance.
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British studio
Designed in Britain and printed to order at your nearest hub, reducing waste and shipping distance.
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Ready to hang
Each frame is sealed with rigid backing and fixings attached, no extra effort required.
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What our customers say
Real reviews from real customers
Received the beautiful hummingbird print in black frame. Great service, stunning print, I will post a picture when the room is finished. Thank you
Delighted with this print! The colours are extremely vibrant, the imagine crystal clear and beautifully displayed in an attractive frame. Delivery was prompt and securely packaged. Highly recommended and will be using again!
So pleased with my print and the frame it’s housed in. Fantastic quality and really adds character to the room. Communication was great and it was delivered quicker than estimated. Overall I’m extremely pleased and will recommend to friends. I’m already eying up my next purchase!
Beautiful print, great quality and love it with the white frame. Delivery was really fast. I've had loads of compliments from visitors as I've hung it in my hallway as the first thing you see when you enter the house. Couldn't be happier.
Jean-Léon Gérôme
painting the thumbs-down gladiator that inspired Ridley Scott, teaching Cassatt and Redon who rejected everything he believed, and dying in front of a Rembrandt
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