ZEUX'IS ( La t., from Gk. 7,F.Qcs). A famous Greek painter who flourished near the end of the fourth century B.C. He is called a native of lieraclea, though which of the cities of that name is meant cannot he de termined. He visited Athens and Lower Italy, but seems to have made his headquar ters during a considerable time at Ephesus. lie took up the new chiaroscuro Q f Apollodorus of Athens and developed it, excelling rather in his coloring and expression than in fineness of drawing, in which he was surpassed by Par rhasius (q.v.). He seems to have striven ear nestly to produce the illusions of nature, and with much success in inanimate objects. His human figures were criticised by some for their large heads and limbs, though others praised these very qualities. Among his famous works were an "Alcmena" given to Agrigentum, a "Pan" presented to Arehelaus, and a youthful cules" strangling the serpents in the presence of the anxious Alemena and Amphitryon. His "Helen" was painted as a present for the Cro toniates, after he had decorated the temple of Hera Lacinia near that city. Lucian describes in
detail a painting representing a female centaur suckling her young, while in the background the wild father aroused and frightened his chil dren by holding over them a lion's cub. Zeuxis seems to have studied to find new and strange sit uations in which to depict mythical personages. Ilis pride is said to have been great. He gave away some of his later pictures, as being beyond price, and appeared at Olympia with his name embroidered in gold on his magnificent robe. It is noticeable that great monumental groups, like those of Polygnotns. do not appear in his works. The nearest approach is perhaps found in his "Zeus Surrounded by the Gods." He belonged to the new school of artists who painted smaller works for private patrons, rather than dec orations for public halls.