Pygmalion
1778
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1778
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Pygmalion is a 1778 ink by Noël Le Mire, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a man kneeling on one knee, reaching toward a naked woman who seems to have come to life. Behind her, a curtain frames a dark window, and a statue lies broken on the floor. The woman’s flowing hair and draped cloth add movement to the scene. The artist used shading to create depth, making the figures stand out against the plain background. The broken statue hints at the story behind the image. Look up etching to see how artists like this one create detailed prints.
