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One of Niobe's Daughters

Augustin Pajou

1754

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

One of Niobe's Daughters is a 1754 chalk by Augustin Pajou, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Augustin Pajou
When & what style?: 1754 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a woman kneeling, her body twisted as she reaches up toward another figure above her. Her hair is loose, her arms stretched out, and her face is turned upward in what looks like grief or longing. The lines are loose and expressive, with quick strokes that make the figure feel alive but unfinished. The artist used only black chalk on paper, leaving the background mostly blank. The focus is on the movement and emotion in the figure’s pose. This sketch is part of a series inspired by a myth about Niobe, a queen whose children were punished by the gods. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow for drama.

About the artist

Artist

Augustin Pajou

Augustin Pajou (French pronunciation: ; 19 September 1730 – 8 May 1809) was a French sculptor, born in Paris. At eighteen he won the Prix de Rome, and at thirty exhibited his Pluton tenant Cerbère enchaîné (now in the Louvre).

See the richer artist page