Anti'philus
of EGYPT, a very distinguished painter, was the pupil of Ctesidemus, and the contemporary and rival of Apelles. (Lucian,
de Calumn. 59.1-5.) Having been born in Egypt, he went when young to the court of Macedonia, where he painted portraits of Philip and
Alexander.
The latter part of his life was spent in Egypt, under the patronage of Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, whom he painted hunting.
He flourished, therefore, during the latter half of the 4th century B. C. Concerning his false accusation against Apelles before Ptolemy, see APELLES.
The quality in which he most excelled is thus described by Quintilian, who mentions him among the greatest painters of the age of Philip and
Alexander (12.10.6): "facilitate Antiphilus, concipiendis visionibus, quas
φαντασίας vocant," which expressions seem to describe a light and airy elegance.
In the list of his works given by Pliny are some which answer exactly in subject to the "
φαντασίαι" of Quintilian. (
Plin. Nat. 35.37,
40.) Varro (
R. R. 3.2.5, Schn.) names him with Lysippus.
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