The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Orpheus and Eurydice (recto); Figure Studies (verso)

Orpheus and Eurydice (recto); Figure Studies (verso)

c. 1761
(French, 1732–1806)
France, 18th century
Black and gray chalks on cream laid paper
Sheet: 28.9 x 22.7 cm (11 3/8 x 8 15/16 in.)
Gift of Joseph F. McCrindle 2009.152
Location: not on view

Description

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.
  • 1980
    Ex collection Lucien Goldschmidt, New York, NY
    ?–2009
    Joseph McCrindle, New York, NY, given to The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
    June 8, 2009–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Elegance and Intrigue: French Society in 18th-century Prints and Drawings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 16-November 6, 2016).
  • {{cite web|title=Orpheus and Eurydice (recto); Figure Studies (verso) |url=false|author=Jean-Honoré Fragonard|year=c. 1761|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2009.152