France: 'Phryne before the Areopagus'. Oil on canvas painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme (11 May 1824 - 10 January 1904), 1861

France: 'Phryne before the Areopagus'. Oil on canvas painting by French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme (11 May 1824 - 10 January 1904) from 1861. The painting depicts the legendary Greek courtesan Phryne, as she is put on trial for impiety. She is acquitted after her defender Hypereides removed her robe to expose her nude form, 'to excite the pity of her judges by the sight of her beauty'.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Jean-Léon Gérôme

Credit:

Pictures From History