# The Sacrifice of Iphigenia

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/perrier-franois-r2bf12f4cdb6041/the-sacrifice-of-iphigenia-r98983024d043e1>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [PERRIER, François](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/perrier-franois-r2bf12f4cdb6041>)
- Date: 1601-1650
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 213 x 154 cm

## Commentary

In the Greek mythology Iphigenia was the daughter of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. Her father lead the Greek forces against Troy. The expedition was at first prevented from sailing by unfavourable winds, so Agamemnon consulted a seer, Calchas. He was told that, because he had killed a stag sacred to Diana, he must propitiate the goddess by sacrificing his daughter to her. Iphigenia accepted her fate out of patriotic motives. According to some, at the last moment Diana substituted a stag for the human victim and carried Iphigenia away to be her priestess. The winds changed and the Greeks were able to sail.

## Related artworks

- [Acis, Galatea, and Polyphemus](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/perrier-franois-r2bf12f4cdb6041/acis-galatea-and-polyphemus-r7ce170a378836a>)
- [Acis, Galatea, and Polyphemus](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/perrier-franois-r2bf12f4cdb6041/acis-galatea-and-polyphemus-ra563ee03f27032>)
- [Adoration of the Golden Calf](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/perrier-franois-r2bf12f4cdb6041/adoration-of-the-golden-calf-rd258c4fa2bf92e>)
- [Aeneas and his Companions Fighting the Harpies](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/perrier-franois-r2bf12f4cdb6041/aeneas-and-his-companions-fighting-the-harpies-r943aff8200c330>)
- [Aeneas and the Cumaean Sibyl](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/perrier-franois-r2bf12f4cdb6041/aeneas-and-the-cumaean-sibyl-ra57cf68b3b7d9d>)
- [Moses Draws Water from the Rock](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/perrier-franois-r2bf12f4cdb6041/moses-draws-water-from-the-rock-r37d58d377dec5e>)

## Attribution

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