Who painted The Death of Tancred [left]?

The Death of Tancred [left] was painted by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin in 1760.

Where can I see The Death of Tancred [left]?

The Death of Tancred [left] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Death of Tancred [left]?

The Death of Tancred [left] is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Death of Tancred [left]

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin , 1760

The Death of Tancred [left] is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Gabriel de Saint-Aubin. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Gabriel de Saint‑Aubin’s etching titled *The Death of Tancred* was executed in 1760 on laid paper.

About this work

Overview

Gabriel de Saint‑Aubin’s etching titled *The Death of Tancred* was executed in 1760 on laid paper. The work measures a modest size typical of 18th‑century prints and presents a single, carefully composed tableau that captures a moment of fatal collapse within an architectural setting.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a mortally wounded figure lying on the ground, surrounded by a small assembly of onlookers. Some kneel or reach toward the dying man, while others remain upright in the distance. The surrounding ruin—tall columns and a broken façade with a clock‑face window—suggests a broader narrative of decay and the passage of time, reinforcing the gravity of the scene.

Technique & Style

Saint‑Aubin employed the etching process, incising lines into a copper plate and printing them with ink onto laid paper. The work is distinguished by crisp, energetic lines that delineate the figures’ garments and hair, while cross‑hatching creates subtle tonal gradations. This combination yields a controlled intensity, allowing depth and movement to emerge from the monochrome medium.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑eighteenth century, the print reflects Saint‑Aubin’s active period as a draftsman and printmaker in Paris. While specific ownership records are scarce, the piece has appeared in several catalogues of French prints and is held in the collections of institutions that specialize in 18th‑century graphic art.