DISCOVERART

Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Orpheus and Eurydice (recto); Figure Studies (verso)

c. 1761
Black and gray chalks on cream laid paper

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

Quick drawings could serve a variety of purposes, and it is not always clear today why an artist created a particular sketch. This one may record a painting Fragonard saw during a journey to Italy, or capture an idea he was considering for a painting of his own. Orpheus, identified by the lute, grasps for his love Eurydice as she is pulled down into Hades. The snarling animals near his feet may represent Cerberus, the multiheaded guard dog of the underworld.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Jean-Honoré Fragonard

A Boy in a Red-lined CloakA Boy in a Red-lined CloakScene in a ParkScene in a ParkCava NapoliCava NapoliOrpheus and Eurydice (recto) Orpheus and Eurydice (recto) The Funeral of Decius MusThe Funeral of Decius MusFigure Studies (verso) Figure Studies (verso) The CupboardThe CupboardBacchanalesBacchanales

More like this

The Bishop and the Demon (recto); Three Demons Holding a Knight (verso)The Bishop and the Demon (recto); Three Demons Holding a KniRuth and Boaz (recto) The Fall of Simon Magus (verso)Ruth and Boaz (recto) The Fall of Simon Magus (verso)Reclining Female Nude (recto); Various Sketches of Figures and Plants (verso)Anonymous — Reclining Female Nude (recto); Various Sketches Figure Studies: The Holy Family, a Running or Dancing Child, Drapery StudiesFrancesco Curia — Figure Studies: The Holy Family, a RunningApollo Flaying Marsyas (recto); Two Sketches of a Mother and Child (verso)Anonymous — Apollo Flaying Marsyas (recto); Two Sketches of The Seven Archangels (recto); Studies of an Archangel and a Wind God (verso)Massimo Stanzione (Italian, 1585–1656) — The Seven ArchangelStudies of Angels (recto); Panthea before Cyrus? (verso)Michel Dorigny (French, 1617–1665) — Studies of Angels (rectDuel after the Masked Ball (recto); Head of a Woman (verso)Thomas Couture (French, 1815–1879) — Duel after the Masked BStudyJean Baptiste Carpeaux — StudySheet of StudiesAnonymous, Italian, 17th century — Sheet of StudiesLot and His Daughters (recto); Sketch for Lot and His Daughters (verso)Pietro da Cortona (Italian, 1596–1669) — Lot and His DaughteStudy of Napoleon on Horseback with Sketches of Nudes Among RocksJean Louis André Théodore Géricault — Study of Napoleon on H