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Sophonisba Receiving the Poisoned Cup by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669)

1634. Oil on canvas. 56" high by 60 1/4" wide. Signed "REMBRANDT F: 1634". Collection: The Prado, Madrid. Also known as Artemisia Receiving Mausolus' Ashes.

Once again, Rembrandt's subject is unknown. The work does not seem to be Biblical in nature, so scholars have proposed various secular characters.

The painting is commonly thought to depict Sophonisba, whose story was related by Livy (Book 30). The wife of Syphax Masinissa, she was taken prisoner by Scipio, who then asked her to remain with him. When the lady's husband learned of this invitation, he sent Sophonisba a cup of poison.

The Prado prefers to identify the subject as Artemisia preparing to drink a cup of wine which contains the ashes of her husband, King Mausolos. This tale is told by Aulus Gellius in Noctes Atticae. Rubens had just painted his own version of this subject for Amalia van Solms of Holland, whose collection Rembrandt mave have seen. The story of Artemisia was also included in a book by Dutchman Jacob Cats. However, Cat's version was not published until 1636, two years after Rembrandt completed this canvas, and it is not known whether the story was circulated before that publication.

This painting was formerly in the Cabinet de Toilette of the New Palace in Madrid.
207796
Viewed: Apr 23, 2024
Updated: Feb 12, 2024
Priced: Aug 07, 2022
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