Chryses in The Louvre, Paris

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This terracotta sculpture by Michel-Ange Slodtz is a masterpiece depicting Chryses, a legendary priest of Apollo at Chryse, near Troy. A counterpart bust represents Iphigenia, likely part of Ange Laurent Lalive de Jully's impressive collection. The marble version, created in 1740, was commissioned for Rome and acquired by a collector in Lyon at the Academy of Lyon. In Greek mythology, Chryses was a revered priest who played a pivotal role in the Trojan War. According to Eustathius of Thessalonica's account, Chryses and Briseus were brothers, sons of Ardys, an otherwise unknown man. During the Trojan War, Agamemnon took Chryseis from Moesia as war booty and refused to return her when Chryses offered a ransom. In response, Chryses prayed to Apollo, who sent a devastating plague through the Greek armies. The only way to end the plague was for Agamemnon to release Chryseis. Chryses' actions were motivated by his desire to protect his daughter's honor and defend the rights of his priestly office. His bravery in standing up to Agamemnon earned him a significant place in Greek mythology.