Zeuxis and Parrhasius

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Zeuxis and Parrhasius, painters of Ephesus in the 5th century BC, are reported in the Naturalis Historia of Pliny the Elder to have staged a contest to determine which of the two was the greater artist. When Zeuxis unveiled his painting of grapes, they appeared so luscious and inviting that birds flew down from the sky to peck at them. Zeuxis then asked Parrhasius to pull aside the curtain from his painting. When it was discovered that the curtain itself was Parrhasius' painting, Zeuxis was forced to concede defeat, for while his work had managed to fool the eyes of birds, Parrhasius had deceived the eyes of an artist.

Zeuxis' most notable works included Helen, Zeus Enthroned, and The Infant Hercules Strangling the Serpent. He is said to have laughed to death at one of his own paintings.

Zeuxis was born in Héraclee around 464 B.-C and was presumably the pupil of Appolodore. During his competition with Parrhasios, Zeuxis is rumoured to have said: 'I've deceived the birds, but Parrhasios has deceived Zeuxis.' Zeuxis often thought himself misunderstood by his public and Aristotle did not like him at all. All his life he worked in South Italy and is said to have laughed himself to death after painting a funny old woman. He was known to have painted an assembly of gods, Hercules strangling snakes in his cot, Eros crowned with roses, Alcmène, Menelas, an athlete, Pan, Marsyas chained and an old woman. Most of his works were taken to Rome and to Byzance but disappeared during the time of Pausanias. None have survived to this day.