Aurora and Cephalus
1766
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1766
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a dreamy scene of a woman lying down, half-hidden by swirling drapery. Above her, a man floats in the air, surrounded by clouds and floating figures. The lines are soft and smudged, giving everything a hazy, floating look. The artist used chalk and rubbed it gently to blend the tones, making the figures look like they’re dissolving into the sky. The title hints at a story—something about dawn and love—but the details are left to your imagination. If you like this style, look up Romanticism next.
