King Tarquin and the Cumaean Sibyl
by HELT STOCKADE, Nicolaes van, Oil on canvas, 101 x 83 cm
The Cumaean Sibyl offered nine books of prophecies to King Tarquin, the last king of the Roman Kingdom. As the king declined to purchase them, owing to the exorbitant price she demanded, she burned three and offered the remaining six to Tarquin at the same stiff price, which he again refused, whereupon she burned three more and repeated her offer. Tarquin then relented and purchased the last three at the full original price.
The sibyl is wearing a terracotta-red dress with the yellow sash draped over her left arm, gently waving. Her headscarf is also moving, giving the picture a further sense of urgency. Tarquin, with his exposed, muscular neck, is wrapped in a Roman toga that reveals a remarkable blue sleeve which only came to light after restoration.