The Rope of Ocnus

"The Rope of Ocnus" is the name of a celebrated picture painted by Polygnotus, a distinguished Greek painter who died about 426 B.C. He was the first who gave life, character, and expression to painting. According to Pliny, he opened the mouth, and showed the teeth of his figures: he was the first to paint women with transparent drapery and with rich head-dresses.

Ocnus was the name of a poor but industrious Greek, whose extravagant wife spent his money as fast as he earned it. He complained to Polygnotus of his trials and tribulations in this respect, and Polygnotus painted the picture alluded to above.

The picture represents a poor man weaving a rope out of straw, while behind him stands an ass eating off the other end of the rope. The silent lesson conveyed by the picture is said to have had the desired effect upon the wife of Ocnus, and by her frugality and thrift she enabled him soon to rise from obscurity to great prosperity.

The phrase, like "the rope of Ocnus," signifies profitless labor.