Neoclassical French school circa 1810 Pyramus and Thisbe Painting, oil on canvas Unsigned Painting: 32.5 x 24 cm Modern frame (small discreet wear): 42.5 x 32.5 cm An old text on the back tells the scene Good condition The subject of Pyramus and Thisbe is taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses and was taken up by Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet. Pyramus and Thisbe are two young Babylonians. They plan to meet one night outside the city, under a white mulberry tree. Thisbe arrives first, but the sight of a lioness with a bloody mouth scares her away; his veil escapes him and he is torn by the lioness who stains him with blood. When Pyramus arrives, he discovers the veil and the footprints of the beast: believing that Thisbe has been a victim, he commits suicide, his blood spattering the white mulberries. Thisbé, returning near the mulberry tree, discovers the body of her lover and prefers to commit suicide after him. #riccardohometour