Achilles:This warrior is a pretty well-known figure in Greek literature. He’s a major figu

Achilles:

This warrior is a pretty well-known figure in Greek literature. He’s a major figure in the Illiad, but stories about him date back to at least 550 BCE. He is a nearly-invulnerable warrior, the son of Thetis (who I’ve painted before) and a mortal king.

During the Trojan War, Achilles comrade (or lover*) Patroclus was killed while wearing Achilles’ armor. This loss sent Achilles into deep mourning, from which Thetis roused him. She brought him a new shield and armor made by the god Hephaestus. With them, Achilles took the field to seek revenge against Patroclus’s killer.

This commissioned work is also available as a print in my Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/listing/537115279/achilles-hero-of-troy-85x11-open-edition
*The argument about Achilles and Patroclus’s exact relationship started in antiquity and continues to this day.