The painting depicts a scene from the ancient Greek myth of Orestes and Pylades. Orestes, the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, has been exiled from his home city of Argos after murdering his mother. He is accompanied by his friend Pylades, who has remained loyal to him throughout his exile. The two men are shown embracing each other in a gesture of friendship and support. The painting is set in a classical Greek setting, with a backdrop of columns and a statue of a god or goddess. The figures of Orestes and Pylades are depicted in a realistic and naturalistic style, and the painting as a whole is a fine example of the Renaissance artist's skill.