Erasistratus the Physician Discovers the Love of Antiochus for Stratonice

Hi everyone, my name is Isabella! Welcome to the Birmingham Museum of Art! nn Today, we're going to look at a really big painting. It's called "Erasistratus the Physician Discovers the Love of Antiochus for Stratonice." That's a very long name! nn Can you say "Erasistratus?" That's the name of the doctor in the painting. nn
nn Look at the painting. What do you see? It looks like something sad is happening, doesn't it? nn This painting tells a story about a prince named Antiochus who is very sick. See him lying on the bed? nn
nn The wise doctor Erasistratus is trying to figure out why Antiochus is so sick. Can you find the doctor in the painting? What is he holding? nn
nn The room is kind of dark, but there's a light shining on the doctor and the prince. Why do you think the artist made the light shine like that? nn
nn The artist used light and shadow to help us focus on the most important part of the story. nn Now, look closely at the group of women standing on the left side. One of them is Stratonice, Antiochus's stepmother. nn
nn The artist wants us to understand that Antiochus is actually in love with Stratonice! That's why he's sick! nn Can you believe it? This painting tells such an interesting story! nn
nn The artist used lots of colors and details to make the story come to life. What do you think about the colors in this painting? nn
nn This painting is like a puzzle, and by looking closely, we can understand the story it's trying to tell. nn Thank you for joining me today! I hope you had fun learning about this amazing artwork!