Boreas and Oreithyia
A hand-painted replica of Evelyn De Morgan’s masterpiece Boreas and Oreithyia, meticulously crafted by professional artists to capture the true essence of the original. Each piece is created with museum-quality canvas and rare mineral pigments, carefully painted by experienced artists with delicate brushstrokes and rich, layered colors to perfectly recreate the texture of the original artwork. Unlike machine-printed reproductions, this hand-painted version brings the painting to life, infused with the artist’s emotions and skill in every stroke. Whether for personal collection or home decoration, it instantly elevates the artistic atmosphere of any space.
Evelyn De Morgan's painting Boreas and Oreithyia is a work by the British Pre-Raphaelite and Symbolist artist, completed in 1896. The painting depicts a scene from Greek mythology, specifically the story of Boreas, the god of the north wind, and Oreithyia, a mortal princess of Athens. This myth is recounted in various ancient sources, including Ovid's Metamorphoses.
In the myth, Boreas falls in love with Oreithyia but is initially rejected. Frustrated by her resistance, he ultimately abducts her, carrying her away to Thrace, where she becomes his wife and the mother of his children, including the Boreads, Zetes and Calais. De Morgan's painting captures the dramatic moment of the abduction, a theme that has been explored in art and literature for centuries.
The composition of the painting reflects De Morgan's characteristic style, blending elements of the Pre-Raphaelite movement with her own Symbolist approach. The figures are rendered with meticulous attention to detail, and the use of vibrant, jewel-like colors is typical of her work. Boreas is depicted as a powerful, winged figure, his dynamic pose emphasizing his supernatural strength and the force of the wind. Oreithyia, in contrast, is shown as a delicate and graceful figure, her flowing garments and outstretched arms conveying a sense of movement and resistance.
De Morgan often incorporated mythological and allegorical themes into her work, using them to explore broader ideas about love, power, and the human condition. In Boreas and Oreithyia, the interplay between the two figures can be interpreted as a reflection on the tension between mortal vulnerability and divine power. However, De Morgan's treatment of the subject avoids overt violence, instead focusing on the emotional and aesthetic aspects of the scene.
The painting is also notable for its technical execution. De Morgan was known for her mastery of color and light, and in this work, she uses a rich palette to create a sense of drama and intensity. The swirling clouds and windswept landscape further enhance the dynamic quality of the composition, drawing the viewer into the mythological world she has created.
Boreas and Oreithyia is part of De Morgan's broader body of work, which often featured strong female figures and explored themes of spirituality, mythology, and social commentary. Today, the painting is recognized as an important example of her artistic legacy and her contribution to the late 19th-century art scene. It is held in the collection of the De Morgan Foundation, which preserves and promotes the works of Evelyn De Morgan and her husband, the ceramicist William De Morgan.
