Merope was painted by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin in 1750.

Where can I see Merope?

Merope is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Merope?

Merope is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Merope?

Museum-quality prints of Merope are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Merope

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin , 1750

Merope is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Gabriel de Saint-Aubin. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: in plate, below image at left: Gabriel de Saint aubin f. t. 1750; in plate, below image, at center: Mèroppe. acte 5; verso: at lower right in brown ink: Ernest Devaulx / 1880 (Lugt 670); at center in graphite in later hand: No 217
Markings: Marked:recto: none; verso: Henri Joachim Delacroix (Lugt 3604), unidentified mark ["Cont...ie / T. P." in oval stamped in blue, above which is written in brown ink "No. 2177", and National Gallery of Art

About this work

Overview

Gabriel de Saint‑Aubin’s 1750 etching titled Merope presents a bustling interior scene rendered on laid paper. The composition is dominated by a spacious hall with towering columns, a raised platform, and a sculpted bust in the background. Figures populate the space in various poses, some upright, others collapsed, and one being hoisted aloft, creating a sense of kinetic tension.

Subject & Meaning

The work’s title alludes to the mythological or theatrical figure Merope, suggesting the image captures a climactic moment of heightened emotion, possibly drawn from a stage play or classical narrative. The crowded arrangement and exaggerated gestures convey drama and conflict, inviting viewers to infer a story of upheaval or revelation within the depicted setting.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching, Saint‑Aubin employs incisive line work to delineate form and movement. The sharp, intersecting strokes emphasize the swirling drapery and the contorted bodies, while the contrast of light and shadow enhances depth within the architectural space. This approach reflects the mid‑eighteenth‑century French printmaking emphasis on narrative vigor and precise draftsmanship.

History & Provenance

Created in 1750, the print belongs to the prolific output of Gabriel de Saint‑Aubin, a noted French draftsman and etcher active during the Rococo period. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among his series of theatrical and mythological subjects, illustrating his engagement with contemporary literary and stage themes.