DISCOVERART

Adolphe Yvon

Leda and the Swan

c. 1846–83
Charcoal and gouache with touches of pastel

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

In the late 1520s Michelangelo made a painting depicting Leda and the swan, a mythological story in which Zeus assumes the form of a swan to seduce the mortal woman Leda, producing two children with her. Michelangelo’s version was undeniably more erotic and sensuous than most previous treatments of the subject, as well as more famous. Although the original was lost, several copies of the composition were made from a cartoon (full-scale drawing) that was taken to France by one of Michelangelo’s pupils in the 1530s. This drawing by Adolphe Yvon suggests that Michelangelo’s distinctive sensual rendering of the subject persisted into the 1800s.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More like this

Cupid and SwansJohn Downman — Cupid and SwansLeda and the SwanThomas Rowlandson|Michelangelo Buonarroti — Leda and the SwaJupiter and AntiopePierre Audouin (French, 1768–1822) — Jupiter and AntiopeLeda and the SwanCornelis Bos|Michelangelo Buonarroti — Leda and the SwanDiana and ActeonFrançois André Vincent — Diana and ActeonThe Young BatherGustave Courbet — The Young BatherTamarisPierre Puvis de Chavannes — TamarisA Study for Two NymphsStudio of François Boucher — A Study for Two NymphsStudy of a Female NudeHenri Lehmann — Study of a Female NudePsyche Asleep in a LandscapeKarl Joseph Aloys Agricola — Psyche Asleep in a LandscapeJupiter and AntiopeAntonio Fantuzzi|Francesco Primaticcio — Jupiter and AntiopeDianeBertauts, P. Cadet, Paris|Célestin Nanteuil — Diane