1701
crayon
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Triumph of Neptune is a 1701 crayon by French 18th Century, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a chaotic sea scene with a muscular man riding a giant wave. Around him, smaller figures—some on horses, some on shells—scatter in the water. Above, winged creatures float like they’re watching the chaos below. The whole thing is drawn in black and white on a blue background, giving it a stormy, dreamy look. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement, almost like the scene is still in motion. The mix of humans, horses, and sea creatures suggests this isn’t just a battle—it’s a story about power and the sea. Next, check out the Baroque movement to see how drama like this shaped art.
This artist worked in late 18th-century France, making portrait paintings and etched prints.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
