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Candaules, King of Lydia, Shews his Wife by Stealth to Gyges, One of his Ministers, as She Goes to Bed
William Etty·1830
Historical Context
Candaules, King of Lydia, Shews his Wife by Stealth to Gyges, painted in 1830 and now in Tate, depicts the ancient story told by Herodotus — the Lydian king who secretly showed his naked wife to his bodyguard Gyges, leading ultimately to the king's murder and Gyges' assumption of the throne. The subject was ideally suited to Etty's interests, combining a beautiful female nude with a dramatic narrative of voyeurism, betrayal, and power. The painting generated heated debate about the propriety of exhibiting such a frankly erotic subject in public exhibitions, reflecting the ongoing tension in Victorian Britain between artistic tradition (which sanctioned the nude) and bourgeois moral sensibility (which suspected it of licentiousness).
Technical Analysis
Etty's rich, glowing palette and voluptuous treatment of the female figure demonstrate his deep absorption of Venetian colorism, particularly the influence of Titian and Veronese. The theatrical lighting and luxurious setting enhance the narrative drama.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the rich, glowing palette and voluptuous treatment of the nude queen — Candaules secretly showing his wife to his bodyguard Gyges, a story of fatal voyeurism from Herodotus.
- ◆Look at the theatrical lighting and luxurious setting enhancing the narrative drama of this charged 1830 Tate painting.
- ◆Observe the deep absorption of Venetian colorism, particularly Titian and Veronese, in the warm flesh tones and sumptuous fabrics.
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