Cy Twombly's "Ilium (One Morning Ten Years Later)" (1964) is a triptych that reflects a significant phase in the artist's exploration of classical themes, particularly those drawn from Greek mythology and history. This work, part of Twombly's broader engagement with ancient narratives, represents a culmination of his interest in the aftermath of the Battle of Troy, a subject deeply embedded in the fabric of Greek literary and historical consciousness.

Twombly's fascination with Greek mythology was longstanding, sparked by his extensive travels to Greece and his immersion in the country's ancient culture and history. His visits to significant archaeological sites and museums, along with his scholarly pursuits, deeply influenced his artistic direction, leading to the creation of works that dialogued with the past while being distinctly modern in their execution. The "Ilium" triptych, inspired by the epic narratives of the Iliad, is a testament to Twombly's ability to translate the visceral energy of mythological tales into a visual language replete with scribbles, scratches, and color fields that evoke the chaos and aftermath of war​ (Lectures Bureau)​.

The work combines Twombly's signature elements of graffiti-like scribbles, frenetic lines, and gestural paint application to create a composition that resonates with the historical and mythological references of antiquity. Twombly’s method of directly applying color from the tube onto the canvas, using his fingers to smear the paint, adds a raw, tactile quality to the work, embodying the physical presence of gods and heroes with a vivid immediacy. This technique reflects Twombly's innovative approach to painting, where color becomes a "materia nuda" or "naked material," imbuing the canvas with a sense of human presence and emotional depth​ (Sothebys.com)​.

"Ilium (One Morning Ten Years Later)" is not just a reflection of Twombly's engagement with the themes of Greek mythology but also an embodiment of his unique aesthetic philosophy, which balances the classical with the contemporary. The work's abstraction, combined with historical resonance, situates Twombly within a complex dialogue between the past and present, making his contribution to the canon of post-war art both unique and enduring. Through this triptych, Twombly invites viewers into an experiential arena, limited only by imagination, where the echoes of ancient battles mingle with the tactile sensations of modern paintwork, creating a space where history and memory are palpably felt.