Zeuxis (lived 5th century BC)

Greek painter. He is said to have excelled in the subtle use of colour and shading, and painted imaginative portraits of such mythical figures as Penelope. His reputed masterpiece was the picture of Helen – according to legend the grapes he painted were so realistic that birds tried to eat them.

Born in Heraclea, he belonged to the Ionic school of art, drawing his inspiration from Apollodorus and being the rival of Parrhasius. None of his works survive, but an Infant Hercules Strangling the Serpents found in Pompeii may give some idea of one of his most anciently renowned paintings.