Theseus and Pirithoüs Clearing the Earth of Brigands, Deliver Two Women from the Hands of their Abductors, 1806, Marie-Joséphine-Angélique Mongez, French, 1775 - 1855, 23 3/8 × 29 1/2 in. (59.44 × 74.93 cm) (sheet)31 3/4 × 37 3/4 × 2 3/8 in. (80.65 × 95.89 × 6.03 cm) (outer frame), Black, white, blue, ochre chalks on ivory paper, France, 19th century, Mongez enjoyed success as a history painter–a rare and grand achievement for a woman artist active during the Napoleonic era. She studied with Jacques-Louis David, the most influential artist in France. Mongez’s paintings were exhibited at the Paris Salons from 1802 until 1827. Mongez’s drawing relates to a painting exhibited at the Salon of 1806, which was acquired by the Russian Prince Youssoupoff. Plutarch’s 'Life of Theseus' inspired the composition. The legendary Greek hero sought to rid his kingdom of brigands. Here, Theseus and his companion the Lapith Pirithoüs rescue two maidens from their abductors. Theseus wields a club at the bandit who attempts to flee on horseback, while Peirithoüs, after overpowering a second bandit with his sword, lowers a maiden from a rearing horse. Mongez’s mastery of David’s lessons is revealed in the skillfully drawn figures, horses, and drapery all disposed in a rhythmic composition. In contrast to the passages of black and white chalks, Mongez subtly colors Pirithoüs’s sword sheath with light blue chalk and flesh tones in ochre chalk.
Keywords:
Theseus, Pirithoüs Clearing, Earth, Brigands, Deliver Two Women, Hands, Abductors, 1806, Marie-Joséphine-Angélique Mongez, French, 1775 - 1855, sheet, outer frame, Black, white, blue, ochre chalks, ivory paper, France, 19th century, Mongez enjoyed success, history painter–a rare, grand achievement, woman artist active, Napoleonic era, studied, Jacques-Louis David, influential artist, France, Mongez's paintings, exhibited, Paris Salons, 1802, 1827, Mongez's drawing relates, painting exhibited, Salon, 1806, acquired, Russian Prince Youssoupoff, Plutarch's Life, Theseus' inspired, composition, legendary Greek hero, rid, kingdom, brigands, Theseus, companion, Lapith Pirithoüs rescue two maidens, abductors, Theseus wields, club, bandit, attempts, flee, horseback, Peirithoüs, overpowering, second bandit, sword, lowers, maiden, rearing horse, Mongez's mastery, David's lessons, revealed, skillfully drawn figures, horses, drapery, disposed, rhythmic composition, contrast, passages, black, white chalks, Mongez subtly colors Pirithoüs's sword sheath, light blue chalk, flesh tones, ochre chalk
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