# Theseus Discovering his Father's Sword

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/theseus-discovering-his-fathers-sword-r720c312d2e767b>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [BALESTRA, Antonio](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1>)
- Date: 1701-1750
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 287 x 159 cm

## Commentary

Theseus is a legendary Greek hero, king of Athens, and a famous slayer of monsters. Though his father was the king of Athens, Theseus was born and brought up in Troezen. Here his father placed a sword and sandals under a heavy rock and left orders that his child was to follow him to Athens when he was strong enough to lift the rock and bring the tokens hidden underneath.

## Related artworks

- [Adoration of the Shepherds \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/adoration-of-the-shepherds-detail-r512caf6d7bed84>)
- [Adoration of the Shepherds \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/adoration-of-the-shepherds-detail-rccb58489365f32>)
- [Adoration of the Shepherds](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/adoration-of-the-shepherds-rc362d92fc52d4a>)
- [St Sebastian Nurced by St Irene](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/st-sebastian-nurced-by-st-irene-r9cf7cd763941c7>)
- [The Abduction of Helen \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/the-abduction-of-helen-detail-r07d7f45c5e23a8>)
- [The Abduction of Helen](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/the-abduction-of-helen-r592a140e4ada3c>)
- [The Killing of Achilles \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/the-killing-of-achilles-detail-r3615e3eceb40a8>)
- [The Killing of Achilles](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/the-killing-of-achilles-r477fcc9a737653>)
- [The Triumph of Love \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/the-triumph-of-love-detail-r43872e62e61584>)
- [View of the ceiling](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/view-of-the-ceiling-r17c89be8f34248>)
- [View of the main hall](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/view-of-the-main-hall-rdfb851cdac39a8>)
- [Virgin and Christ Child with Saints](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/balestra-antonio-r21c2345e6e65a1/virgin-and-christ-child-with-saints-rdf251e86de4ef4>)

## Attribution

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