The artwork titled “Erasistratus the Physician Discovers the Love of Antiochus for Stratonice” was created by Benjamin West in 1772. This history painting, associated with the Neoclassicism art movement, is housed in the Birmingham Museum of Art in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
This captivating painting portrays a dramatic scene in which the physician Erasistratus diagnoses Antiochus with lovesickness caused by his affection for Stratonice, the young wife of his father, King Seleucus. The poignant moment is suffused with a sense of intimacy and gravitas, characteristic of Neoclassical aesthetics. The characters are depicted with detailed, expressive gestures, surrounded by muted yet rich tones, emphasizing the emotional intensity and solemnity of the narrative. The composition skillfully directs the viewer’s attention towards the central figures, rendering the scene both compelling and evocative.