Leda and the Swan (Léda au cygne)

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

This picture is unusual in Cézanne's oeuvre for its specific literary subject matter. It represents the story from Ovid's Metamorphoses in which Zeus disguises himself as a swan to seduce Leda, the daughter of King Thestius. This is certainly one of the artist's more overtly sensual paintings: Leda displays herself for the viewer, hip curving dramatically and cheeks flushed, while the swan's beak wraps around her wrist as if taking possession of her. Cézanne made two drawings in preparation for the painting, one of which shows the figure holding a champagne flute.

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