The Marriage of Telephus and Auge prevented

Art Historical Context

Edward Francis Burney’s delicate drawing captures a dramatic moment from Greek mythology in which the marriage of Telephus and Auge is dramatically interrupted. Created between 1790 and 0, the small sheet uses pen and brown ink with gray wash to depict men and women reacting in surprise as serpents intervene, conveying tension and movement within a compact space. Burney, a British draftsman known for his narrative illustrations, employs fine linework and subtle shading to heighten the scene’s emotional intensity. The medium of ink and wash was popular in the late eighteenth century for its ability to suggest both precise detail and atmospheric depth, making it ideal for literary and mythological subjects. Measuring just over three by four inches, the drawing rewards close looking, revealing how Burney balanced figures and expressive gestures to tell a complete story. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this work offers visitors a glimpse into the period’s fascination with classical tales and the intimate scale of preparatory or illustrative art.

About the Artist

Edward Francis Burney · 1760–1848

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