Who painted The Daughters of Minyas?

The Daughters of Minyas was painted by Jean Lepautre in 1676.

Where can I see The Daughters of Minyas?

The Daughters of Minyas is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Daughters of Minyas?

The Daughters of Minyas is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Daughters of Minyas

Jean Lepautre , 1676

The Daughters of Minyas is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jean Lepautre. It dates from 1676 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work is rendered in dense, swirling lines and deep shadows that give the scene a dramatic, almost theatrical atmosphere.

Jean Lepautre’s 1676 print, titled The Daughters of Minyas, is an etching and engraving executed on laid paper. The composition presents a crowded interior where several women are gathered, one engaged in weaving while the others look upward toward a hovering figure clutching a scroll. The work is rendered in dense, swirling lines and deep shadows that give the scene a dramatic, almost theatrical atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The central narrative appears to draw on the myth of the Minyan daughters, women who, according to legend, were transformed into bats for their impiety. The floating figure—suggested to be a deity or prophetic presence—commands the women’s attention, implying a moment of divine revelation or warning. The inclusion of the loom emphasizes domestic activity juxtaposed with mythic intervention.

Technique & Style

Lepautre combines etching with engraving, allowing him to achieve both delicate tonal washes and crisp, precise lines. The artist’s handling of line creates a tactile sense of texture: the weave of the loom, the sheen of hair, and the patterned floor tiles acquire a three‑dimensional quality. Strong chiaroscuro and swirling, almost calligraphic strokes intensify the sense of movement within the cramped space.

History & Provenance

Created in the late seventeenth century, the print reflects Lepautre’s prolific output as a French printmaker known for his ornamental and narrative works. While specific ownership records are sparse, the piece has been documented in several European print collections, indicating its circulation among connoisseurs of the period.

Context

The Daughters of Minyas belongs to a broader Baroque fascination with classical myths rendered in highly detailed prints. During the 1670s, French artists frequently employed etching and engraving to disseminate literary and mythological subjects to a wider audience, bridging the gap between courtly taste and the emerging market for affordable art.

Legacy

Lepautre’s print exemplifies the technical virtuosity and narrative ambition of French printmaking in the late 1600s. Its intricate line work and dramatic composition have influenced later illustrators who sought to convey complex stories within a single, densely populated image.