Who painted Tantalus, Plate 9?

Tantalus, Plate 9 was painted by Francisco de Goya in 1799.

Where can I see Tantalus, Plate 9?

Tantalus, Plate 9 is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Tantalus, Plate 9?

Tantalus, Plate 9 is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Tantalus, Plate 9

Francisco de Goya , 1799

Tantalus, Plate 9 is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco de Goya. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1922.604
Credit line: Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

Overview

Tantalus, Plate 9, a print by Francisco de Goya (c. 1799), is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work depicts a desolate scene of two figures on a rocky shoreline, conveying a sense of despair.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates a man overcome with anguish, bent over with his head in his hands, alongside a limp, recumbent woman. The title references the myth of Tantalus, symbolizing unattainable longing and eternal punishment, underscoring themes of suffering and unfulfilled desire.

Technique & Style

Goya employs simple, expressive lines and nuanced shading to create a dramatic atmosphere, characteristic of the emerging Romantic style, which emphasized emotional depth and mythological themes.

History & Provenance

Created around 1799, the print's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here, highlighting a gap in the provided provenance.

Context

Emerging within the late 18th century, Tantalus, Plate 9 reflects the shift towards Romanticism, a movement that valued intense emotion, the sublime, and classical mythology as sources of inspiration.

Legacy

As part of Goya's oeuvre, Tantalus, Plate 9 contributes to the artist's exploration of human suffering and the psychological, influencing subsequent artistic explorations of emotional depth and mythological narrative.