John Wood

John Wood, “Narcissus”, Date Unknown, Oil on Canvas

An early version of the “Narcissus” story by Conon, a contemporary of Ovid, tells the tale of Narcissus and Amines . In it, a young man named Aminias fell in love with Narcissus, who had already spurned his male suitors. Narcissus also spurned him and gave him a sword.

Before Aminias committed suicide at Narcissus’s doorstep, he had prayed to the gods to give Narcissus a lesson for all the pain he provoked. Narcissus walked by a pool of water and saw his reflection, became entranced by it, and killed himself because he could not have his object of desire.

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