The Funeral of Patroclus
Jacques-Louis David · 1778
Why it's great
Heroes of the Trojan War mourn their fallen friend, Patroclus, as his body lies on a funeral bed. David painted this in Rome as a student. The poses are like ancient sculpture. It's a classic scene from Homer's Iliad.
Where to see it
📍 National Gallery of IrelandDublin, Ireland
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris and became the greatest painter of the Neoclassical style, inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. He supported the French Revolution and later became Napoleon's official painter. After Napoleon fell, he was forced into exile and spent his last years in Brussels, Belgium. He taught many famous students and shaped French art for generations.
