The Death of Achilles at Klondyke Corner

Moments before his death, Hector foretells Achilles’ end at the hands of Paris and Apollo. Indeed, the Greek hero is shot through the heel in this subsequent encounter, and lies fallen while the battle continues to rage. Ajax, with the help of the goddess Athena, faithfully defends his friend’s corpse to ensure it is not violated by the Trojans and that he receives the funerary rites due to a hero.

The landscape again is that of Arthur’s Pass, in the South Island. Maguire relates that not only is Klondyke Corner, with its valley and bush covered hills, the perfect spot for an ambush, it is also a place that takes lives. She recollects a weekend spent tramping there when four people died. (Southern Myths, 2005)

To find out which artworks are available for print requests and reproduction please enquire here. This service only applies to select artworks in the Gallery's collection.