Composition Study for "Castor and Pollux Freeing Helen" 1817

"Composition Study for 'Castor and Pollux Freeing Helen'" is a graphite drawing by French artist Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon (1794-1874) dating from 1817. This preparatory work shows the artist's meticulous approach to composition and his detailed understanding of classical mythology. The drawing features a dynamic group of figures, with the heroic twins, Castor and Pollux, prominently placed in the center, leading the rescued Helen, the wife of Menelaus, out of captivity. The drawing, a study for a larger painting, showcases Lancrenon's skill in capturing movement and expression through the delicate lines of graphite. The drawing is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.