Artwork
Leda and the Swan
Leda and the Swan is a print by the Romanticist artist S. Bennet. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The print presents a reclining female figure alongside a swan, derived from Michelangelo’s earlier composition.
About this work
Overview
The print presents a reclining female figure alongside a swan, derived from Michelangelo’s earlier composition. Executed in ink on paper, the image bears an inscription indicating its former ownership by R. Cosway, Esq., and includes the title of the mythological subject.
Subject & Meaning
The scene illustrates the classical tale of Leda and the swan, wherein the goddess Leda lies in a tranquil pose as the swan—representing Zeus in disguise—rests close to her. The figure’s relaxed demeanor and the intimate proximity of the bird suggest a moment of quiet encounter rather than overt drama.
Technique & Style
Ink work on the paper employs gradual shading to render the flesh and feathers with a soft, almost luminous quality. The contrast between the illuminated forms and the darker surrounding foliage creates a chiaroscuro effect, emphasizing the volume of the bodies while the background recedes.
History & Provenance
The print is noted as having originated from the collection of the English gentleman R. Cosway, Esq. Its reliance on Michelangelo’s composition indicates it was produced after the Renaissance master’s drawing became widely circulated among printmakers.
Artist & collection
Artist
English printmaker in the early 1800s, S. Bennet carved mythological scenes after known paintings so collectors could hang dramatic stories at home. Two prints in this set—*Leda and the Swan* and *Venus and Cupid*—show…
