Cadmus and Harmonia (painting)
| Cadmus and Harmonia | |
|---|---|
| Artist | Evelyn De Morgan |
| Year | 1877 |
| Type | Oil on canvas, history painting |
| Dimensions | 148.5 cm × 89.5 cm (58.5 in × 35.2 in) |
| Location | Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton |
Cadmus and Harmonia is an oil painting by the English artist Evelyn De Morgan, from 1877.[1][2]
History and description
Combining nude art and history painting, it is inspired by Ovid's Metamorphoses, in the episode in which Cadmus is transformed into a serpent. He is shown embracing his naked wife Harmonia. De Morgan has recently visited Italy and Harmonia's stance resembles that of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. She makes a significant change in portraying Harmonia as a much younger woman than in described by Ovid.[3]
It was the first of De Morgan's paintings to be exhibited at the Dudley Gallery in London. It was purchased by the Liberal politician Sir Charles Dilke.[4]
References
- ^ Smith p.68-70
- ^ Frederick p.32-33
- ^ De Morgan Collection
- ^ Watts Gallery Artists Village
Bibliography
- Frederick, Margaretta F. Evelyn & William De Morgan: A Marriage of Arts & Crafts. Yale University Press, 2022.
- Smith, Elsie Lawton. Evelyn Pickering De Morgan and the Allegorical Body. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2002.