Fall of Phaeton 1600 - 1700

This drawing, "Fall of Phaeton," is an anonymous work from the 17th century housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It depicts the Greek myth of Phaeton, son of the sun god Helios, who is punished for his hubris by being thrown from the sun chariot. The artist utilizes a dynamic composition, capturing the energy and chaos of Phaeton's fall, with the horses bolting and the chariot collapsing in the upper portion of the drawing. Below, Phaeton's body plummets towards earth, creating a strong diagonal line leading the viewer's eye through the composition. The use of light and shadow, and the rendering of figures and landscapes, point to a Baroque aesthetic, highlighting the drama of the moment. This drawing demonstrates the artist's skill in rendering a complex scene with both grace and intensity, illustrating the popularity of classical mythology in 17th-century art.