Alcyone Waiting in Vain for her Husband. Episode from Ovid: Metamorphoses

1810

From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst

Dominant colour

Alcyone Waiting in Vain for her Husband. Episode from Ovid: Metamorphoses is a 1810 by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1810 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Statens Museum for Kunst

About this work

The painting depicts a woman sitting on a rocky cliff, looking out at the sea. She is dressed in a long, flowing robe and has a red cloth draped over her head and shoulders. Her right hand is raised to her forehead, and her left arm is bent at the elbow, with her hand resting on her knee. In the background, there is a dark and stormy sky, with lightning illuminating the clouds. The sea below is turbulent, with waves crashing against the rocks. The overall mood of the painting is one of sadness and longing. This painting is a representation of Alcyone, a character from Ovid's Metamorphoses, waiting in vain for her husband. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of drama and tension, drawing the viewer's eye to the figure of Alcyone. For more on this style, explore the Romanticism movement.