“Penelope Sacrificing to Minerva for the Safe Return of Her Son, Telemachus” is a historical painting created by Angelica Kauffman in 1774. Executed in oil, this artwork is a notable example of the Neoclassicism movement, depicting a scene enriched with classical inspiration.
In the artwork, Penelope, draped in a flowing white garment, is captured in a moment of devout supplication to the goddess Minerva, represented by a statue centrally positioned on a pedestal. Penelope’s attendants, garbed in finely detailed garments, stand nearby, each participating in the ritual with expressions of solemn reverence. The setting exudes the architectural grandeur typical of Neoclassical design, with columns and drapery enhancing the sense of ancient Greece. The overall composition elegantly marries the emotional intensity of the historical narrative with the meticulous, idealized aesthetic characteristic of Kauffman’s style.
