Artist
Flourished: Late fifth century b. c.e.; Heraclea, Lucania, Italy Category: Art and architecture
Life All that is known about the early life of Zeuxis of Heraclea (ZEWK-suhs of hehr-uh-KLEE-uh) is that he was the pupil of either Damophilus of Himera or Neseus of Thasos, who were both active in Athens during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 b. c.e.). It was around this time that Zeuxis achieved wealth and fame as a painter. He was a follower of Apollodorus of Athens, the inventor of shading, although Zeuxis pioneered a more painterly style and became known for remarkable illusionism and novel subject matter. Once, he competed with his rival Parrhasius, painting some grapes that fooled the birds; however, a curtain painted by Parrhasius fooled Zeuxis himself, and he was forced to admit defeat. Other well-known works by Zeuxis included a painting of Helen that reproduced the features of five beautiful virgins, and a painting of a female centaur nursing twins, one at her human breast and the other at her teat. No paintings by Zeuxis survive today.
Influence Zeuxis was one of the most influential painters of ancient Greece. His innovative style was criticized by Plato and Aristotle and was discussed for generations afterward. The life and art of Zeuxis were a special inspiration for Renaissance and Neoclassical artists.
Further Reading
Bruno, Vincent J. Form and Color in Greek Painting. New York: W. W. Norton, 1977.
Matheson, Susan B. “Zeuxis.” The Dictionary of Art. Vol. 33. New York: Macmillan, 1996.
Pollitt, J. J. The Art of Greece, 1400-31 B. C.: Sources and Documents. Rev. ed. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990.
Ann M. Nicgorski
See also: Apollodorus of Athens (artist); Aristotle; Art and Architecture; Plato.
World History
