Who painted Xenophon and the Greeks Sighting the Sea [verso]?

Xenophon and the Greeks Sighting the Sea [verso] was painted by Benjamin Haydon in 1816.

Where can I see Xenophon and the Greeks Sighting the Sea [verso]?

Xenophon and the Greeks Sighting the Sea [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Xenophon and the Greeks Sighting the Sea [verso]?

Xenophon and the Greeks Sighting the Sea [verso] is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Xenophon and the Greeks Sighting the Sea [verso]

Benjamin Haydon , 1816

Xenophon and the Greeks Sighting the Sea [verso] is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Benjamin Haydon. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Xenophon and the Greeks Sighting the Sea [verso] is a drawing created by British artist Benjamin Robert Haydon in 1816, executed in pen and brown ink on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a pivotal historical moment from Xenophon's narrative, where Greeks first sight the sea, conveying a sense of discovery and relief. This subject choice aligns with Haydon's interest in grand historical themes.

Technique & Style

Haydon's use of pen and brown ink on wove paper reflects common practices of the Romantic period. Despite the medium's constraints, the work suggests Haydon's inclination towards monumental composition, characteristic of his larger-scale historical paintings.

History & Provenance

Created in 1816, the drawing's provenance is not detailed here, though it is known to be part of Haydon's body of work that struggled to achieve consistent commercial success amidst his financial and relational challenges.

Context

Produced during the Romantic period, the piece contextualizes Haydon's work within a broader artistic movement emphasizing emotion, history, and the sublime. The use of wove paper, a common material at the time, further situates it within early 19th-century artistic practices.

Artist & collection

Artist

Benjamin Haydon

Benjamin Robert Haydon (; 26 January 1786 – 22 June 1846) was a British painter who specialised in grand historical pictures, although he also painted a few contemporary subjects and portraits.