The artwork entitled “Landscape with Ascanius Shooting the Stag of Sylvia” was painted in 1682 by Claude Lorrain. This mythological painting, rendered in oil on canvas, belongs to the Classicism art movement and measures 150 x 120 cm. It is presently housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, UK.
The artwork depicts a serene and expansive landscape, characterized by harmonious composition and classical elements. The foreground features Ascanius, captured mid-action as he aims his bow at a stag, surrounded by a group of men and dogs. Majestic ruins imbedded with towering columns frame the scene on the left, while trees with slender trunks and delicate foliage contribute to the idyllic ambiance. As the eye moves toward the background, the landscape unfolds into rolling hills and a distant body of water, which reflect the soft light of an overcast sky. The overall palette is subdued, emphasizing the tranquil and timeless nature of the mythological narrative being portrayed.
