Artwork

Apollo or Adonis

Apollo or Adonis, by Henri-Guillaume Chatillon, chalk, 1818
Apollo or Adonis, by Henri-Guillaume Chatillon, chalk, 1818

Apollo or Adonis is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Henri-Guillaume Chatillon. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Apollo or Adonis is a drawing created by Henri-Guillaume Chatillon around 1818. It is executed in charcoal and black chalk on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a standing male nude, holding an unidentified object in his right hand. The figure is set against a dark, plain background, emphasizing its form.

Technique & Style

The artist achieved a smooth, nuanced representation of the figure's anatomy through subtle shading, avoiding unnecessary lines. The use of charcoal and chalk on thin paper produces a soft effect, while the application of chalk creates textured areas.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.