Theodore Meets in the Wood the Specter of His Ancestor Guido Cavalcanti, Chasing with Mastiffs His Former Disdainful Mistress 1783

Henry Fuseli's "Theodore Meets in the Wood the Specter of His Ancestor Guido Cavalcanti, Chasing with Mastiffs His Former Disdainful Mistress" is a dynamic pen-and-ink drawing created in 1783. The work depicts a fantastical scene where a figure on horseback, possibly the specter of the poet Guido Cavalcanti, chases a fleeing woman through a wooded landscape, while Theodore, a man armed with a sword, looks on. Fuseli's signature style is evident in the dramatic use of light and shadow, creating a sense of unease and mystery in this captivating piece. The drawing, held by the Art Institute of Chicago, provides insight into Fuseli's interest in the supernatural and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through line and composition.