The artwork, titled “Eteokles and Polyneikes,” was created by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo around 1725-1730. This oil on canvas piece, measuring 383 by 182 centimeters, is an exemplary work of the Rococo art movement. As a mythological painting, it is held at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
The artwork vividly depicts a dynamic and dramatic scene from Greek mythology, illustrating the climactic conflict between the two brothers, Eteokles and Polyneikes, who are twin sons of Oedipus. The figures are portrayed with a high degree of realism and emotion, capturing the intensity of their fatal combat. The vibrant, yet soft, color palette and ornate details are consistent with the Rococo style, while the fluidity and movement within the composition accentuate the dramatic narrative encapsulated in the artwork.
