Self-portrait as Timanthes

This self-portrait is based on a lost painting by the ancient Greek artist Timanthes, using the description of the painting given by the ancient philosopher Pliny the Elder. James Barry used this work as a source for a mural design (which included Timanthes) for the great room at the Society of Arts in London. He is depicted holding a painting of satyrs looking at a Cyclops – the one-eyed human-eating giant.