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Orpheus and Eurydice (recto); Figure Studies (verso)
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Quick drawings could serve a variety of purposes, and it is not always clear today why an artist created a particular sketch. This one may record a painting Fragonard saw during a journey to Italy, or capture an idea he was considering for a painting of his own. Orpheus, identified by the lute, grasps for his love Eurydice as she is pulled down into Hades. The snarling animals near his feet may represent Cerberus, the multiheaded guard dog of the underworld.
| Artist / Maker | Jean-Honoré Fragonard |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1761 |
| Culture / Origin | France |
| Medium | Black and gray chalks on cream laid paper |
| Dimensions | Sheet: 28.9 x 22.7 cm (11 3/8 x 8 15/16 in.) |
| Department | Drawings |
| Type | Drawing |
About the Artist
Jean-Honoré Fragonard (French, 1732–1806) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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