Prometheus Bound 

Christian Schussele's drawing, "Prometheus Bound," captures the tragic hero through careful composition and stark contrasts. Prometheus is chained to a rock, his agonized form rendered with meticulous detail. The rough texture of the stone and the turbulent sea evoke a sense of despair. Schussele uses line and shading to emphasize the tension between Prometheus's muscular body and the unyielding chains, a symbol of his defiance against the gods. The looming presence of the eagle, pecking at his liver, introduces a brutal realism. This stark image invites an understanding of power, suffering and rebellion through a formal vocabulary that balances classical ideals with raw, emotional expression. Note how Schussele uses light to highlight Prometheus's body and the eagle, directing our focus to the central conflict. The drawing’s monochrome palette further intensifies the drama, stripping away any distraction and focusing on form and texture. In its formal construction, "Prometheus Bound" transforms classical myth into a potent study of human endurance.