← Bernard Picart

Death of Niobe and Her Children

Original title: Death of Niobe and Her Children

Artist

Bernard Picart

Date

late 17th–early 18th century

Medium

Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, heightened with white on blue paper. Later retouched with brush and gray ink

Dimensions

sheet: 6 3/8 x 10 13/16 in. (16.2 x 27.5 cm)

Credit line

Bequest of Harry G. Sperling, 1971

kurzbeschreibung

Bernard Picart made this drawing between the late 17th and early 18th century. It presents the Greek myth of the downfall of Niobe and her children. The sheet is executed in pen and brown ink, brown wash, and white heightening on blue paper; it was later retouched with gray ink.

Description

In the foreground, figures lie on the ground while others move about; some wear garments that recall past eras. Above them, in the upper part of the image, figures hover, a reference to divine intervention. On the right rises a temple with columns. The blue tone of the paper dominates the color scheme, with white accents highlighting particular areas.

Context

Picart (1673–1733) was a French engraver and draftsman known primarily for book illustrations. His drawing was created in an era when mythological subjects were frequently taken up in art. He often worked for publishers and supplied models for reproductive engravings. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds several of his works.

Impact

The interplay of reclining and moving figures brings tension to the image. The hovering beings above lend the scene something otherworldly. The blue tones evoke a cool, wistful mood.

Technique

Pen and brown ink determined the execution, with brown wash and white heightening on blue paper. A later reworking with gray ink is also present. The stroke thickness varies, and the brushwork appears controlled.

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)