Artwork
Salomon and Cleopatra
Salomon and Cleopatra is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Henri-Charles Guérard. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Salomon and Cleopatra is a mezzotint print on laid paper created by French artist Henri-Charles Guérard circa 1890. The work depicts a scene from the encounter between King Solomon and Cleopatra, leveraging the medium's characteristic tonal range.
Subject & Meaning
The print illustrates a biblical and historical convergence, showcasing Solomon kneeling before Cleopatra. The subject reflects 19th-century printmaking's penchant for historical and literary themes.
Technique & Style
Guérard utilized mezzotint's capabilities to achieve nuanced shading and texture. The technique allowed for blurred edges and blended tones, capturing soft light and deep shadows, notably illuminating Cleopatra's face.
History & Provenance
Created around 1890, the print demonstrates Guérard's proficiency in mezzotint, a medium less common to his typical etching and lithography output.
Context
The piece aligns with late 19th-century artistic interests in exploring historical narratives through printmaking, characterized by the use of chiaroscuro to create a sense of realism.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henri Charles Guérard (26 April 1846, Paris - 24 March 1897, Paris) was a French painter and printmaker, particularly in etching and lithography.
