Cornelius Schutt (1597-1655), Queen Tomyris with a Head of Cyrus

The story of Queen Tomyris is told, among others, by Herodotus (Historiae I, 205-214). Tomyris was the queen of the Massagetae and was attacked by the Persian king Cyrus II, who wanted to annex her kingdom to his own. Cyrus was eventually defeated in battle, and Tomyris drenched his severed head in blood to quench his thirst for blood, as she had previously promised him. The story was an example of female heroism in ancient times. Queen Tomyris sits on a raised throne in a white dress and a golden mantle edged with ermine, scepter in hand, she gives the order to immerse the head of Cyrus, which is held by a young man in front of her, in blood. Two court ladies watch the scene to the queen's right. The lady in the front is wearing a beautiful golden robe, the blonde lady in the back is hugging her companion to see what is going on. An old woman stands behind them. On the left, a man in a red robe with a fur cap frames the composition. In the background are other members of the court, an elderly bearded man in a turban, and two soldiers whose heads are only visible. A tall red curtain forms a kind of canopy over the throne. On the left edge of the painting and behind the man in the turban are twisted columns. The antique model comes from St. Peter's in Rome and was known from engravings. Cornelis Schut, a student of Peter Paul Rubens, a master in Antwerp since 1618, painted decorations for the arrival of the cardinal Ferdinand in Ghent in 1635 together with other artists. He is one of the most important Flemish baroque painters
Dimensions:
204 x 185.5 cm
Medium:
Oil on canvas