Focus on The Death of Hyacinthos and explore the Thematic analysis.
Charles Paul Landon wrote the following analysis of the painting's theme for the Paris Salon of 1802:This theme (which has already been briefly described in volume 2, page 23, in the section regarding the plaster model by Callamard) represents the death of Hyacinthos, Apollo’s favorite, while playing discus with the god.  The young man is struck with a fatal blow; he is dying in Apollo’s arms, who changes him into the flower that bears his name (see previously referenced page).  Egyptian mythology, on which the Greeks probably founded their entire religious system, tells us that Apollo, son of Zeus, was gifted with extraordinary beauty, such that the sun was named after him.  This prince, who was equally commendable for his spiritual qualities as for his external beauty, was the first to teach science and art to the Egyptians.  He joined with Neptune to found the city of Troy, and then went to the Island of Delos where he stayed for a time before finally settling in the city of Delphi.  There he had a temple and a palace built.  He taught the Greeks the value of civilization.  He subtly instilled in them the principals of morality through music; giving proven advice to whoever sought his counsel; predicting the different movements of the planets, the rising and setting of the moon, lunar eclipses, solar eclipses.  The simple and crude folk saw their prince as an extraordinary man; Apollo took advantage of their credulity to rule them with even greater influence, and always with wisdom.  Apollo’s past in Egypt is limited to the simple tale:  we know from which Prodigies.  The Greeks would considerably embellish it.  According to the legend, Apollo is the son of Jupiter and Leto, and the brother of Artemis.  His first exploit is the defeat of the snake Python.  He kills the Cyclops who had forged the lightning that the master of the gods used to kill his son Asclepius.  Chased from the heavens; he seeks refuge with Admetus who entrusts him with his herds.  During his stay on Earth, Apollo invents the lyre, skins Marsias alive who had dared challenge him to a contest of music, and made Midas grow donkey ears for having awarded victory to Pan.  Apollo, after having lost his herd to Mercury who had taken it away from him by surprise, leaves the service of Admetus, joins that of Laomedon, joins up Neptune to mold the bricks and build the walls of Troy.  They received no salary for their work.  Laomedon reaps the reward for his ingratitude:  a terrible plague ravages his lands.  Apollo tries to forget his misdeeds with mortal love.  He alternately burns with desire for Daphne, Clytia, Coronis, and Cyrene.  His misfortunes soften the ire of Jupiter, who brings him back to the heavens and restores his divinity and his powers.  The god of poetry, music, eloquence, medicine, omens and the arts, he presides over the concerts of the Muses; at times he lives with them on Mount Parnassus, or Mount Helicon, or Mount Pieris, or on the banks of the Permesse and the Hypocrène; at times lending his charm to the gods' feasts with the gentle chords of his lyre.  This painting was exhibited at the 1801 Salon and received an honorable mention from the art jury.
lyre Paris Salon Apollo Hyacinth Hyacinthos discus