Orpheus and Eurydice in Hades (recto); Triumph of Bacchus in a Landscape (verso), c. 1800-1805, Pietro Fancelli, Italian, (Bologna), 1764 - 1850, 16 x 22 1/8 in. (40.64 x 56.2 cm) (sheet)23 5/8 × 29 5/8 in. (60.01 × 75.25 cm) (outer frame), Pen and brown ink over graphite, Italy, 18th century, Dense and rapidly executed, this drawing shows an artist freely exploring a subject for his own creative purposes. In this story from classical mythology, the poet and musician Orpheus attempts to rescue his bride, Eurydice, from the underworld. Journeying down into Hades he secures her release through the power of his music. But Pluto imposes a condition: Orpheus cannot look back at her until the two have emerged into the upper world. Fancelli depicted the fateful moment when Orpheus turns to look. As he grasps at her, Eurydice is pulled back into the depths.
Keywords:
Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades, recto, Triumph, Bacchus, Landscape, verso, 1800-1805, Pietro Fancelli, Italian, Bologna, 1764 - 1850, sheet, outer frame, Pen, brown ink, graphite, Italy, 18th century, Dense, rapidly executed, drawing, artist freely exploring, subject, own creative purposes, story, classical mythology, poet, musician Orpheus attempts, rescue, bride, Eurydice, underworld, Journeying down, Hades, secures, release, power, music, But Pluto imposes, condition, Orpheus cannot look back, two, emerged, upper world, Fancelli depicted, fateful moment, Orpheus turns, look, grasps, Eurydice, pulled back, depths
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