THOMAS DOUGLAS GUEST (BRITISH 1781-1839/45) BEARING THE DEAD BODY OF PATROCLUS TO THE CAMP, ACHILLES' GRIEF 'A LOFTY BIER THE BREATHLESS WARRIOR BEARS' (HOMER'S ILIAD)Oil on canvasSigned and dated 1805 (lower right) 100.5 x 125cm (39½ x 49 in.)Provenance:Sale, Sotheby's, London, British Paintings 1500-1850, 9 November 1994, lot 123 Exhibited:British Institution, 1807, no. 39Thomas Douglas Guest was awarded the Gold Medal in the Royal Academy Schools in 1805 for this painting of Patroclus' death, which is one of the most poignant and powerful scenes in the Iliad. Patroclus is the most trusted and loyal of Achilles' men and throughout the poem Achilles acts as his mentor and protector. Patroclus begs his permission to borrow Achilles' armour and go out against the Trojans. Achilles reluctantly agrees and Patroclus is subsequently killed by the Trojan leader Hector. Achilles, furious and grieving his loss, seeks revenge on Hector, which ultimately results in the Greek victory in the battle of Troy.