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Merope

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin

1750

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Merope is a 1750 ink by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Gabriel de Saint-Aubin
When & what style?: 1750 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This etching shows a chaotic scene with a group of dramatic figures in a grand room. Some people are standing, others are on the ground, and one figure is being lifted upward by others. The room has tall columns, a raised platform, and a bust in the background. Everyone looks tense, with flowing clothes and wild gestures. The title *Merope* hints this might be a scene from a play or myth—likely a moment of high emotion. The artist used sharp lines to create movement and drama, which was a key part of this style. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Saint-Aubin used this technique.