Who painted Phryne before Her Judges?

Phryne before Her Judges was painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1818.

Where can I see Phryne before Her Judges?

Phryne before Her Judges is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Phryne before Her Judges?

Phryne before Her Judges is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Phryne before Her Judges

Jacques-Louis David , 1818

Phryne before Her Judges is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Jacques-Louis David. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This drawing, Phryne before Her Judges, is a late work by Jacques-Louis David, a French artist known for his historical paintings. It depicts a scene from ancient Greek history, rendered in a small, intimate format that diverges from his typical large-scale compositions.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing shows Phryne, a famous courtesan from ancient Greece, standing naked before her judges. According to historical accounts, Phryne's lawyer bared her chest during her trial for impiety, and her beauty led to her acquittal.

Technique & Style

The drawing is characterized by its use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark. David's lines are rough and expressive, giving the work a personal, spontaneous feel.

History & Provenance

David created this drawing while in exile in Brussels, having fallen out of favor during the French Revolution. It is one of a series of small, enigmatic drawings from this period, marked by their intimacy and uncertainty.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacques-Louis David

Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris on 30 August 1748 into a bourgeois family; his father died in a duel when the boy was nine, and a maternal uncle guided his education.