Niobide 1680

This 1680 red chalk drawing, by the artist known only as Monogrammist WBVH, depicts a Niobide, a daughter of Niobe, a queen from Greek mythology. Niobe was punished by the gods for her hubris by having all her children slain. The figure in the drawing is shown in a state of grief, her body contorted in a gesture of despair. The drawing’s delicate lines and subtle shading create a sense of vulnerability and pathos, highlighting the tragedy of the subject.