The Death of Sappho 1875

Gustave Moreau’s painting “The Death of Sappho” depicts the Greek poet Sappho, known for her lyrical poetry, in a dramatic pose, lying on her side with her lyre in her arms, seemingly dead in a picturesque landscape. The setting features a sunset, a crumbling ruin, and a bird in flight, alluding to Sappho’s tragic end by leaping into the sea. Moreau’s style, marked by vivid color and symbolist themes, evokes the emotional intensity of Sappho’s poetry, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.