Scenes from Tebaldeo's Eclogues: Thyrsis asks Damon the Cause of his Sorrow / Thyrsis finds the Body of Damon

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Buy a print or image licence

You can purchase this reproduction

If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

These two scenes are part of a group of four by Previtali, painted on two panels, probably some time around 1510. They illustrate the key episodes of the Second Eclogue by Antonio Tebaldeo (1456–1538), and were probably intended to decorate a piece of furniture, possibly the case of a musical instrument. The second and fourth scenes are represented here.

Damon is lamenting his unrequited love for Amaryllis. Thyrsis asks why he is so melancholy. Damon says he prefers to be alone ‘among thorns and brambles in a remote and dismal place.’ In the fourth episode, Thyrsis returns, concerned by how changed his friend has become. Seeing Damon lying on the grass and his flock scattered, Thyrsis approaches softly thinking that Damon is asleep. He sees blood and fears that a wild animal has attacked Damon, but then notices the weapon in Damon’s chest and realises that he has killed himself.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Scenes from Tebaldeo's Eclogues: Thyrsis asks Damon the Cause of his Sorrow / Thyrsis finds the Body of Damon

Date

about 1510

Medium

Oil on wood

Measurements

H 45.2 x W 19.9 cm

Accession number

NG4884.2

Acquisition method

Bought with a contribution from The Art Fund, 1937.

Work type

Painting

Tags

This artwork does not have any tags yet. You can help by tagging artworks on Tagger.

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue