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‘La lacédémonienne’ (The Spartan Mother)

Image credit: National Trust Images

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A mother presents a shield to her son, who is already wearing armour and a helmet. Since it was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1771, the scene has traditionally been associated with Plutarch's 'Life of Lycurgus' (AD 75) when a Spartan mother says: 'Bring this back from battle, or be brought back upon it [dead]' but the specific episode has not been found in history.

This is one of eight exquisite paintings on copper now at Stourhead which were commissioned by the duc de Choiseul.

National Trust, Stourhead

Warminster

Title

‘La lacédémonienne’ (The Spartan Mother)

Date

1770

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 110.5 x W 86.5 cm

Accession number

732110

Acquisition method

gift from Sir Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare along with the estate, house and its contents, 1946

Work type

Painting

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National Trust, Stourhead

Stourton, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6QD England

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