Artwork
Consolation of Ariadne
Consolation of Ariadne is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Bryson Burroughs. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The presence of the male figure alongside the nude Ariadne suggests a narrative of comfort or intervention, aligning with the title's implication of solace.
Bryson Burroughs' 1915 painting, Consolation of Ariadne, depicts the mythological figure Ariadne as a nude figure situated near the sea, accompanied by a man and a boat. The composition visually narrates the moment of her abandonment or subsequent rescue, focusing on the interaction between the human figures and the maritime setting. By including the boat and the open sea, the work emphasizes the themes of isolation and the transition from despair to potential salvation.
The presence of the male figure alongside the nude Ariadne suggests a narrative of comfort or intervention, aligning with the title's implication of solace. The scene captures the emotional weight of the mythological episode through the juxtaposition of the vulnerable female form against the vastness of the ocean and the vessel that signifies movement or escape.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1915 by Bryson Burroughs, Consolation of Ariadne is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 76.4 cm in height and 91.12 cm in width. Stylistically, the composition depicts a maritime scene featuring a boat, the sea, a male figure, and a nude representation of the mythological character Ariadne.
The piece is classified as a painting and is held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The painting 'Consolation of Ariadne' was created in 1915 by the American artist Bryson Burroughs. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures approximately 76.4 by 91.12 centimeters. The piece depicts a scene involving Ariadne, a nude figure, a man, a boat, and the sea.
From its inception, the artwork entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it remains housed. The available records confirm the date of creation as 1915 and identify the museum as the recorded owner, though specific details regarding the initial commission or the precise mechanism of its acquisition by the institution are not provided in the current documentation.
Overview
Henry Bryson Burroughs, an American painter and later a curator, created Consolation of Ariadne in 1915. This oil painting on canvas portrays a scene from classical mythology, depicting the figure of Ariadne alongside another individual on a rocky coastline. Executed in the American Impressionist style, the work combines a traditional narrative subject with the characteristic brushwork and light effects of the movement.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Bryson Burroughs (8 September 1869 – November 1934) was an American artist and employee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
