Explore the Myth of this artwork, Ariadne Abandoned by Theseus.
Ariadne is the daughter of Minos, king of Crete, in Greek mythology. She is put in charge of Minos' labyrinth where seven humans from Athens were sacrificed to the Minotaur every 7 or 9 years. Theseus is a member of those being sacrificed one year and volunteers to kill the Minotaur. Ariadne falls in love with Theseus and helps him through the labyrinth with thread or jewels. Some versions state Theseus declares that he'll marry her if he makes it out alive, while others say Ariadne asked to marry him. Many variations of this myth exist due to different translations. There are three main variations that involve Theseus leaving Ariadne. Ariadne either hangs herself, is left to die on the Island of Naxos, or Bacchus (Dionysus) finds and weds her. Ariadne Abandoned by Theseus shows Ariadne waking on Naxos after discovering that Theseus has left her. There is no indication of Bacchus in this painting, though Kauffman includes him in the 1794 version.
Minos Greek mythology Naxos labyrinth Minotaur Theseus Island of Naxos Ariadne Dionysus