Achilles and Lycaon

John Gibson RA (1790 - 1866)

RA Collection: Art

A pen and ink sketch of two fighting male figures. One stands with his sword raised in his right hand while the other kneels at his feet with his shield and helmet on the ground. This is probably the scene where Achilles finds Lycaon, a Trojan whom he had already sold into slavery, 'totally unarmed, without his helmet, shield, or spear, for he'd thrown these on the ground, exhausted'. Homer describes how,

'With one hand, Lycaon grabbed Achilles' knee.

His other clutched the spear, refusing to let go.

He begged for mercy, addressing Achilles'.

However, Achilles took no notice and instead raised his sword and struck Lycaon on the neck before flinging his body into the river.

The drawing is in sketchy pen and ink outline within a rectangular pen and ink border. It was engraved and published in Imitations of Drawings by John Gibson , R.A. Sculptor, Engraved by G. Wenzel and L. Prosseda, Plate 16.