Artwork

Naiads and Dolphins

Naiads and Dolphins, by Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre, gouache, 1764
Naiads and Dolphins, by Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre, gouache, 1764

Naiads and Dolphins is a gouache drawing by the Romanticist artist Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Naiads and Dolphins is a drawing by Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre, created in 1764. It is a delicate and intricate work held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a scene of mythological creatures at play, featuring naiads and dolphins in a watery environment. The subjects are rendered in a way that brings them to life, suggesting a narrative or poetic theme.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a range of techniques to achieve the desired effect, using pen and brown ink for outlines, brown wash to create depth, and white gouache to add highlights and contrast. The combination of these media on buff laid paper results in a nuanced and visually appealing representation.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.