Apollo Mourning Hyacinth

The painting shows Apollo mourning Hyacinth, who has just died and whom the sun god turned into the hyacinth flower, so turning his grief into art.

In the background, lying on the grass, is a discus — the discus that struck Hyacinth's temple and served as the weapon that killed the youth. Also present is Zephyrus, god of the winds, the god who steered the wind so that Hyacinth would be harmed.

This painting is about how cruel jealousy can be. About how unhappy even someone can be who, from the outside, appears to have everything needed for happiness. And about the fact that even when you are loved by a powerful god, death can still overtake you at an entirely unexpected moment.