The Clemency of Augustus (Corneille, Cinna, V, 3) 1782 - 1793

"The Clemency of Augustus (Corneille, Cinna, V, 3)" is a pen-and-ink drawing by François André Vincent, a prominent French artist of the Neoclassical period. Created between 1782 and 1793, the drawing depicts a scene from Pierre Corneille's play "Cinna." Augustus, the Roman Emperor, is seen granting clemency to Cinna, a Roman general who had plotted against him. The composition emphasizes the dramatic tension of the moment, with figures arranged in a dynamic and expressive manner. The work is a fine example of Vincent’s masterful use of line to convey both form and emotion, making it a valuable addition to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.