Erasistratus discovers the love of Antiochus for Stratonice

Art Historical Context

This delicate drawing by British artist Edward Francis Burney captures a dramatic moment from ancient history. The scene illustrates the story of Erasistratus, the renowned Greek physician, who diagnoses the hidden love of Prince Antiochus for his stepmother, Queen Stratonice. By observing the young man’s racing pulse in her presence, Erasistratus reveals the emotional cause of his patient’s mysterious illness—a tale that highlights the early recognition of psychosomatic conditions. Created between 1790 and 1800 using pen and brown ink with gray wash, the small sheet demonstrates Burney’s skill in conveying narrative tension through subtle tonal contrasts and expressive gestures. Though modest in scale, the work reflects the period’s fascination with classical subjects and moral storytelling, themes popular in late eighteenth-century British art. As a preparatory or illustrative drawing, it offers viewers an intimate glimpse into how history painters developed emotionally charged compositions for larger works or publications.

About the Artist

Edward Francis Burney · 1760–1848

Comment on works: Portraits, history