Theagenes Receiving the Palm of Honour from Chariclea

Stadholder Frederik Hendrik and his wife Amalia van Solms commissioned a series of paintings of classical subjects from Abraham Bloemaert. This is one of them. He made this large, brightly coloured painting for their hunting lodge, the Honselaarsdijk Palace.

It shows Theagenes winning a race in the Greek city of Delphi. He is receiving the palm of honour from Chariclea and kissing her hand, at which moment the couple spontaneously fall in love. The story is a reference to the love between Frederik Hendrik and Amalia.