Meleager and Atalanta (Jordaens, 1620–1650) facts for kids
Meleager and Atalanta is a famous painting created by the artist Jacob Jordaens between 1620 and 1623. You can find this amazing artwork today in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain. It shows a dramatic scene from an ancient Greek myth, full of action and adventure!
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What is the Painting About?
This painting tells a story from Greek mythology about two important figures: Meleager and Atalanta. They were both brave heroes involved in a big hunt for a giant, dangerous creature called the Calydonian Boar. Jordaens' painting captures a moment from this exciting tale.
Who was Meleager?
Meleager was a prince and a great hunter. He was known for his courage and strength. In the story, he led a group of heroes to hunt the Calydonian Boar, a huge beast sent by the goddess Artemis to punish a king.
Who was Atalanta?
Atalanta was a skilled huntress and a very fast runner. She was one of the few women who joined the Calydonian Boar hunt. She was incredibly brave and was actually the first to wound the boar during the hunt!
The Discovery of a Hidden Gem
Years after the painting was made, a smaller study (a practice painting) for Meleager and Atalanta was found! This study, painted on a wooden panel, was identified at the Swansea Museum in Wales.
How was it Found?
The discovery happened thanks to an expert named Bendor Grosvenor. He used the Art UK website, which has a huge collection of artworks, as part of a TV show called Britain's Lost Masterpieces. It was like finding a hidden treasure!
Bringing the Study Back to Life
The newly found study needed some care. A conservation expert named Simon Rollo Gillespie worked to fix the damaged wooden panel. He also carefully removed old layers of paint that were hiding the original artwork. This made the painting look bright and clear again.
A Valuable Find
This discovery was extra special because it happened when the Swansea Museum was facing money problems. The study is now thought to be worth around £3 million! It shows how important museums and their collections are.
Other Works by Jordaens
Jacob Jordaens was a very busy artist. He actually painted another version of the Meleager and Atalanta story earlier, around 1618. This shows how much he enjoyed telling these dramatic myths through his art.
See also
In Spanish: Meleagro y Atalanta (Jordaens, 1620-1623) para niños
