How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

Ulysses, wearing a turban, has his hand on Achilles' arm and looks him in the eye, whilst one of the ladies is pointing. Knowing that her son Achilles would be killed if he were to fight in the Trojan War, Thetis hid him away. She sent him to the court of Lycomedes where he was disguised as a girl amongst the King's daughters. Ulysses went in search of Achilles after an oracle stated that Troy could not be taken without him. Disguising himself as a merchant, he offered jewellery and arms for sale. Lycomede'’ daughters went for the jewellery, but Achilles betrayed his true sex by instinctively choosing the armour and trying out the weapons. The story is related in Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'. This painting was exhibited at the first Royal Academy exhibition in 1769.