Artwork

The Death of Hector on the Ramparts of Troy (recto) / Tancred and Erminia (verso)

The Death of Hector on the Ramparts of Troy (recto) / Tancred and Erminia (verso) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pierre Lelu. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Death of Hector on the Ramparts of Troy (recto) / Tancred and Erminia (verso) is a dual-sided print created by Pierre Lelu in 1776, now part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The recto depicts a chaotic outdoor scene from the Trojan War, focusing on the demise of Hector, with figures engaged in various actions around the half-naked, fallen warrior. The verso illustrates a scene from Torquato Tasso's 'Gerusalemme Liberata', showing Tancred and Erminia, contrasting the violent with a more serene, though still tense, encounter.

Technique & Style

Lelu employed aquatint with etching for the recto (in gray-brown) and aquatint alone for the verso (in sepia), on laid paper. The combination of rough lines and nuanced shading achieves a textured, depthful visual effect, with the color tones contributing to an overall sense of drama and age.

History & Provenance

Created in 1776, the print is currently housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, though its ownership history prior to acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

This work reflects 18th-century European interest in classical and literary themes. The use of etching and aquatint was popular during this period for achieving detailed, expressive prints.

Legacy

While specific influence or renown of this piece is not highlighted, it contributes to the broader legacy of Pierre Lelu's printmaking contributions and the ongoing appeal of mythological and literary subjects in art.