The Head of Cyrus brought to Queen Tomyris (1785–89)
Original title: The Head of Cyrus brought to Queen Tomyris
kurzbeschreibung
Antoine Jean Duclos made this etching, titled The Head of Cyrus Brought to Queen Tomyris, between 1785 and 1789. It depicts a historical event: a man presents the severed head of the Persian king Cyrus to Queen Tomyris. The sheet is a proof impression and measures 13.6 × 20.9 cm (image) on 21.7 × 29.7 cm (sheet).
Description
A kneeling man holding a head or a cloth turns toward a standing woman in costly garments. She is flanked by several figures, whose elaborate dress extends in a row to either side. On the right stand soldiers with weapons and helmets. Columns and curtains suggest a grand architectural setting behind them. The layout is symmetrical and places the queen at the center. Black and white dominate the sheet, with drapery folds and column structures clearly worked out.
Context
The etching dates from 1785 to 1789, a period when historical and mythological subjects were common in French art. Duclos, a French engraver, was known for his detailed reproductions. The source was a narrative by the Greek historian Herodotus: Tomyris, a Massagetae queen, is said to have dipped the head of the defeated Cyrus in blood. That this is a proof impression suggests the sheet was intended as a preliminary stage for a later edition.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and clear linework give the sheet a calm, monumental presence. Through fine etched lines, figures and architecture gain plastic weight, emphasizing the historical gravity of the scene. The contrast between the central woman and the surrounding figures directs the eye immediately to the action.
Technique
This work is an etching, an intaglio process in which the drawing is scratched into a wax layer on a copper plate and then bitten with acid. The proof impression reveals the fine lines and hatching that result from the acid treatment. This method allows precise reproduction of details, as seen in the garments and architecture.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)