Artwork
Departure of the Amazons
Departure of the Amazons is an oil painting by the Academic Art artist Claude Deruet. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
It depicts a scene of equestrian figures, Amazons on horseback, and women within a natural landscape setting.
Executed in 1620 by Claude Deruet, this work is an oil painting on canvas measuring 50.8 by 66 centimeters. It depicts a scene of equestrian figures, Amazons on horseback, and women within a natural landscape setting. Deruet employs oil paint to render the riders and their environment, integrating figural subjects with a landscape background characteristic of his approach to such subjects.
The physical support of canvas combined with the oil medium allows for the detailed representation of the riders and their setting, and the work is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
History & Provenance
Departure of the Amazons is an oil on canvas painting executed by Claude Deruet in 1620, measuring 50.8 × 66 cm. Categorized as a landscape, it portrays a horse, a woman, and equestrian Amazon figures within a landscape setting. The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been housed since its acquisition; the exact acquisition date is not recorded, and no documentation indicates a specific commission. The sources confirm the work's current location and 1620 inception date but do not provide a specific accession number, nor do they list any past or current exhibitions associated with the piece.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Departure of the Amazons, depicts a company of armed women on horseback traversing a rolling terrain. Clad in armor and helmets, and carrying spears or banners, the figures appear poised for combat. The scene unfolds beneath a muted sky, with architectural elements and trees visible in the distance, establishing a setting for their journey.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork portrays the mythical Amazons, a society of formidable female warriors, as they embark on an expedition. Their martial attire, including protective armor and weaponry, underscores their readiness for conflict. Despite the implied action of their departure, the composition conveys a sense of controlled determination rather than overt aggression, highlighting their disciplined resolve.
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