Artwork preview

Orpheus and Eurydice (recto)

Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Cleveland Museum of Art

Pencil drawing on beige paper, depicting a scene from Greek mythology. A nude male figure with short hair, wearing a laurel wreath, stands in the center. He faces right. He holds his right arm up near his face and grasps a drape or cloth in his left hand. His left leg bends forward at the knee. A second nude male figure lies on his back on a rocky surface, looking up to the left; one leg bends at the knee. A winged figure, possibly a cherub or putto with a bow and quiver on the back, floats above to the left, appearing to pull on the cloth. The background shows curved lines suggesting movement and chaotic drapery. The paper is torn and worn, with visible pencil sketching and shading.

Artwork Details

Dimensions
700 × 893 px
Museum Record
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Palette