Pygmalion and Galatea 1847 - 1867

Jean-François Gigoux created this lithograph of Pygmalion and Galatea, a tale drawn from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The narrative reflects 19th-century fixations on ideal beauty and male artistic genius. Here, we see Pygmalion, a sculptor, who falls in love with his own creation, Galatea. The goddess Venus answers his prayers and brings the sculpture to life. Gigoux, a French artist working in a male-dominated art world, would have been very aware of this story’s themes of creation, desire, and transformation. The story raises complex questions about agency, objectification, and the male gaze. Galatea, initially a voiceless object, is brought to life to fulfill Pygmalion's desires. Her awakening raises questions of consent and the power dynamics inherent in their relationship. Gigoux’s print invites us to consider the artist's role in shaping perceptions of beauty and gender. What does it mean to create an image of a woman, and what responsibilities come with that act of creation? This artwork challenges us to reflect on the stories we tell and the values they perpetuate.