Darius Hystaspes Opens the Tomb of Nitocris
Artist: Eustache Le Sueur (French, 1617-1655)
Date: c. 1649
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Private Collection
Description
The subject of the painting is taken from an episode in Herodotus's History dealing with the Babylonian queen Nitocris. She ordered that a sepulcher be built for her over the gates in the most frequented part of the city and carved an inscription on it stating that it contained countless riches. For a long time no one dared to approach the burial vault, until the kingdom of Babylonia came under the rule of the Persian King Darius. He opened the burial chamber and found that in place of a treasure there was only mortal remains and an inscription reproaching his greed which had driven him to violate the peace of the dead.
