The Rape of Ganymede
1804
crayon
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1804
crayon
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Rape of Ganymede is a 1804 crayon by Henry Fuseli, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a muscular eagle carrying a boy upward. The boy’s legs dangle, one arm stretched out, the other clutching the eagle’s wing. The background is rough, with swirling lines that make the scene feel chaotic. The artist used quick, sketchy strokes to show movement and tension. The eagle’s talons grip the boy’s thigh, while the boy’s face is turned away—almost like he’s resisting. The drawing feels urgent, like something violent is happening. This isn’t just a random scene; it’s based on a myth about a god taking a young man to the heavens. If you like this dramatic style, look up Romanticism to see more art that plays with emotion and myth.
