Sacrifice of Iphigenia
Medium
Pen and black ink with brush and black and gray wash, over graphite, on tan laid paper, laid down on board
Dimensions
40.4 × 48.4 cm (15 15/16 × 19 1/16 in.)
Classification
ink or chalk wash
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
84511
Art Historical Context
Philippe Joseph Tassaert’s *Sacrifice of Iphigenia* (1766) captures a pivotal moment from Greek mythology, in which Agamemnon prepares to sacrifice his daughter to appease the goddess Artemis.ed in pen and black with layered black and gray washes over graphite, the drawing uses subtle tonal gradations to heighten the emotional tension of the scene. The warm tan paper enhances the dramatic contrasts, allowing the artist to suggest both the solemnity of the ritual and the human cost of divine demands. Measuring roughly 40 by 48 centimeters, this work on laid paper exemplifies the refined drafts...