La tentateur

Honoré Daumier

National Gallery of Art

The image shows two full-length figures standing on a rocky surface. The figure on the left is a large, muscular creature with bat-like wings and cloven hooves, wearing a helmet that looks like it has a small figure on top. This creature is leaning over the second figure, placing its hands on his shoulders. The second figure is a smaller man, depicted with sharp facial features and exaggeratedly large ears, wearing a crown and richly detailed clothing that features a knee-length robe. Both figures are looking in the same direction toward the right. The background features a lightly sketched seascape with the word "BYZANCE" written above it in large letters. The faint outline of a cityscape is visible in the distance.