Sappho 1893

gustavemoreau

abstract painting

impressionist painting style

possibly oil pastel

oil painting

famous-people

fluid art

roman-mythology

acrylic on canvas

underpainting

mythology

painting painterly

watercolour illustration

watercolor

"Sappho" is an oil painting by French Symbolist artist Gustave Moreau, painted in 1893. The painting depicts the Greek poet Sappho, known for her passionate love poetry, standing on a cliff with a lyre in hand, her gaze directed towards a dramatic sunset. Moreau’s style is characterized by intense, jewel-toned colors, as seen in Sappho's red robe and the rich hues of the sky. This painting is an excellent example of Moreau's use of symbolism, with the setting sun representing the end of Sappho's life and the lyre symbolizing her artistic legacy.