Antiochus and Stratonicec. 1838 · Study 1966.13

Context from the museum

Struck by a mysterious illness, Antiochus lies in bed near death. His grieving father, who has recently taken Stratonice as his wife, summons a doctor. Noticing that the sight of the young woman quickens Antiochus’s pulse and that passion causes his sickness, the doctor describes the youth’s predicament to his father, who selflessly offers Stratonice to his son. The subject, both a love story and an example of parental devotion, enjoyed considerable popularity well into the 1800s.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected unframed measurement for Antiochus and Stratonice is 63.9 cm wide and 48.1 cm high, equivalent to approximately 25.2 × 18.9 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.33:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.31 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 21.3% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 118.0 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Antiochus and Stratonice in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, oil on linen, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 63.9 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?