Melpomene
Original title: Melpomene
kurzbeschreibung
James Gillray etched Melpomene on 6 December 1784, dedicating the plate to the muse of tragedy and setting her within an oval frame. Executed in etching and aquatint, the print is now held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Description
An oval border encloses a woman in a long gown that falls to the floor and leaves her shoulders bare. Her right hand holds a plant or fruit, while her left arm reaches upward as if to lift something; her expression stays grave and turned inward. Behind her stands a small pavilion or temple, pierced by a shaft of light, while at the left edge a dark, pale shadow rises to balance the image.
Context
Made in 1784, at a time when Gillray was turning more and more to satire and caricature, the sheet carries the title Melpomene and survives as an open letter state — an early printing whose lettering was still incomplete. The artist worked in London and often took up political and social issues of the day in his prints.
Impact
The serious face and deep shadows give the image a pensive, melancholy undertone. Light falls on the temple and sets a hopeful note that holds its own against the gloom. Together they produce a quiet, almost solemn mood.
Technique
Etching and aquatint come together here on a single sheet, with precisely drawn lines supplemented by the soft gradations of tone the aquatint process allows. The plate measures 35.6 x 25.1 cm and was printed on larger paper of 42.2 x 29.8 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)