Jason Swearing Eternal Affection to Medea

The tragic story of Jason and Medea tells a story of a hero, leader of the Argonauts and a sorceress who is struck by Eros's arrow and is compelled to fall deeply in love with the hero. Medea is stuck with a difficult decision either to betray her family or to aid Jason in his quest for the Golden Fleece. Struck with love she chose the latter and in the process betrays her family. This art piece, first of seven illustrations by Jean Francois de Troy, depicts the oath Jason made to Medea. An oath upon the altar of Hecate, to marry Medea upon finishing the quest, naming Zeus of the Olympus as his witness. We are able to see Eros in the upper left corner pointing towards them with his arrow. It was believed that he was sent by Hera with help from Aphrodite. Later in myth Jason betrays his promise by taking Glauce's hand in marriage. A decision that not only sent Medea into madness but also upset the gods he had sworn by in his oath.