3-063-308 - LTL/Heritage Images

Achilles discovered by Ulysses and Diomedes, 1617-1618. According to prophecy, Achilles was to die in the Trojan War. In order to avoid this, his mother hid him in the court of King Lycomedes, disguised as a woman. There, he spent time among the king's daughters, falling in love with Deidamia. Ulysses and Diomedes knew about this scheme and wanted Achilles to help them fight the war. Disguised as merchants, they showed certain presents to the ladies as a way of giving Achilles away. As they hoped, the hero gave away his maleness by showing interest in weapons rather than jewels and other female adornments. Rubens chooses the exact moment when Ulysses, on the right, denounces Achilles as he unsheathes a sword. Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain.