Orpheus and Eurydice
1802
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1802
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Orpheus and Eurydice is a 1802 chalk by Gaetano Gandolfi, a Romanticism work, depicting aeneas, held at National Gallery of Art.
Orpheus stands there alone, holding a lyre. His eyes lock on the shadowy Eurydice behind him. Only her pale arm reaches out. A dog waits nearby, nose down. This is a quiet moment after a terrible mistake. Orpheus glanced back, breaking the rule. The gods said, “Don’t look.” But he did. Chalk lets Gandolfi draw light and shadow with soft edges—no harsh lines. Look up Gandolfi, Gaetano next.
