Who painted Lot and His Daughters?

Lot and His Daughters was painted by Antoine Pesne in 1756.

Where can I see Lot and His Daughters?

Lot and His Daughters is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Lot and His Daughters?

Lot and His Daughters is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Lot and His Daughters

Antoine Pesne , 1756

Lot and His Daughters is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Antoine Pesne. It dates from 1756 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Lot and His Daughters is a 1756 drawing by Antoine Pesne, a French-born artist who played a pivotal role in introducing Rococo to Prussia as a court painter. The work interprets a biblical narrative in Pesne's characteristic style, blending French Rococo with the Frederican aesthetic.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a scene from the biblical story of Lot, showing the patriarch and his two daughters in a natural setting after their escape from Sodom. The composition focuses on the intimate interaction between the figures, with one daughter offering something to Lot while the other holds a vessel, suggesting a moment of quiet, post-traumatic solace.

Technique & Style

Pesne executes the scene in muted tones with loose, expressive brushstrokes, achieving a soft, dreamy ambiance. The use of chiaroscuro adds depth and volume, guiding the viewer's eye through the landscape and figures. This style reflects Pesne's transition from Baroque beginnings to a more refined Rococo approach.

History & Provenance

Created in 1756, *Lot and His Daughters* represents a mature work in Pesne's oeuvre, exemplifying his influence on the Frederican Rococo style in Prussia. Specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.

Context

This work sits at the intersection of French Rococo elegance and the more subdued, introspective qualities of Frederican Rococo, characteristic of 18th-century Prussian art under Frederick the Great's patronage. It also engages with the broader European tradition of depicting biblical themes in a secular, emotionally nuanced manner.

Legacy

As one of Pesne's notable works, *Lot and His Daughters* contributes to the artist's legacy as a bridge between Baroque and Rococo styles in Northern Europe, influencing subsequent generations of Prussian and European artists in their approach to thematic and stylistic evolution.