Who painted Figure Dressed as a Griffin?

Figure Dressed as a Griffin was painted by Alfred Grévin in 1860.

Where can I see Figure Dressed as a Griffin?

Figure Dressed as a Griffin is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Figure Dressed as a Griffin?

Figure Dressed as a Griffin is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Figure Dressed as a Griffin

Alfred Grévin , 1860

Figure Dressed as a Griffin is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Alfred Grévin. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Alfred Grévin’s 1860 drawing titled Figure Dressed as a Griffin is executed in graphite on wove paper. The work is a laid‑down sketch that captures a costumed figure in a dynamic pose, emphasizing movement and form over fine detail.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a person clad in a fantastical griffin costume, combining human and avian attributes. A feathered helmet crowns the head, a scaled torso suggests the creature’s body, and expansive wings extend outward. The figure holds a spear and shield, evoking the posture of a medieval combatant.

Technique & Style

Rendered with loose, gestural lines, the graphite sketch conveys a sense of immediacy and vitality. Grévin’s handling prioritises the overall silhouette and dramatic presence of the mythical beast, allowing the drawing to retain a sketch‑like spontaneity rather than meticulous finish.

Context

Created during the mid‑nineteenth century, the work aligns with Romantic interests in the exotic, the supernatural, and theatrical spectacle. Such subjects were common in costume studies and theatrical design, areas in which Grévin was professionally active.