The Judgement of Midas

Image credit: National Trust Images

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Tmolus, a mountain-god, was asked to judge a music contest between Apollo (seen on the right) and Pan (sitting on the rock in the foreground). Tmolus decides in favour of Apollo. Midas, King of Phrygia (also known for rashly wishing that everything that he touched should turn to gold), objects to the decision and declares it to be unjust. Apollo, feeling that he could not allow ears so foolish to retain their human shape, changed the ears of Midas into those of an ass. The story derives from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'.

The painting is a pair with 'The Rape of Europa' and has been in the Bankes collection since 1658/1659. It is an early work by the artist and was probably painted while he was staying in Rome between 1634–1637.

National Trust, Kingston Lacy

Wimborne Minster

Title

The Judgement of Midas

Date

1634–1637

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 152.5 x W 190.5 cm

Accession number

1257127

Acquisition method

bequeathed by Ralph Bankes, 1981

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

National Trust, Kingston Lacy

Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 4EA England

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