Sapho 1849

Théodore Chassériau’s “Sapho” (1849) depicts the Greek poet Sappho, known for her passionate lyric poetry, gazing intently at the night sky. The painting, housed in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, captures a moment of contemplation, with Sappho's figure silhouetted against a star-strewn sky. Chassériau, a prominent figure in the Romantic movement, used vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes to convey Sappho's emotional depth. The composition and the artist's evocative style highlight the enduring influence of classical literature and mythology in 19th-century French art.