Coresus Sacrificing Himself to Save Callirhoe, Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Coresus Sacrificing Himself to Save Callirhoe is a large painting by the French Rococo artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard, created in 1765. During a time of plague, the inhabitants of the ancient Greek city of Calydon ask the oracle at Dodona how they might end the plague that has fallen upon the population. The oracle replies that they must sacrifice a beautiful girl named Callirhoe or find someone to die for her. Coresus, who has always loved Callirhoe, has the task of slaying her. Fragonard's painting depicts Coresus plunging a knife into his body, sacrificing himself to save Callirhoe, who has fainted.
