# The Mocking of Anacreon

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/tischbein-johann-heinrich-the-elder-rd23ba41a7d508d/the-mocking-of-anacreon-r1ac5bfa3a24f08>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [TISCHBEIN, Johann Heinrich the Elder](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/tischbein-johann-heinrich-the-elder-rd23ba41a7d508d>)
- Date: 1751-1800
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 165 x 113 cm

## Commentary

This painting and its pendant, Hercules and Omphale, represent an early commission carried out for the Landgrave Wilhelm VIII by Tischbein, one of the Landgrave&#39;s court painters. Both of these paintings depict antique couples, an old man with a younger woman. Anacreon, the grey-haired love-poet of the 6th century BC, is pestering a young, scantily-clad woman, who attempts to repel his approaches. Cupid, the god of love, hovering behind them, seems however to be encouraging the two of them to get together.

## Related artworks

- [Portrait of an Aristocratic Lady](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/tischbein-johann-heinrich-the-elder-rd23ba41a7d508d/portrait-of-an-aristocratic-lady-r814d864e7d56bc>)
- [Portrait of the Artist and His Wife at the Spinet](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/tischbein-johann-heinrich-the-elder-rd23ba41a7d508d/portrait-of-the-artist-and-his-wife-at-the-spinet-r48f400b94476a2>)
- [The Rape of Europa](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/tischbein-johann-heinrich-the-elder-rd23ba41a7d508d/the-rape-of-europa-r6ef4c8ca92def3>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)