Around 1800, Girodet-Trioson was planning a large painting based on Aeschylus’ drama Seven Against Thebes. It was modelled on his teacher David’s Oath of the Horatii. According to Greek mythology, seven chieftains had sworn to destroy Thebes. One of them was Capaneus, a giant of a man. He arrogantly defied the gods themselves, who had promised to protect the city. This head study is an expressive representation of the blasphemous Capaneus.