Leda 1875

Gustave Moreau created this painting “Leda” with oil on canvas. Moreau was a master of the traditional techniques, the result of years of training. You can see the evidence of his hand in the smooth gradations of tone in Leda’s skin, for example. The painting is really built up with layers, what artists call glazes, to achieve this luminosity. Moreau uses a symbolic narrative to depict the seduction of Leda by Zeus in the guise of a swan. But he also uses an almost academic technique to portray a mythological scene. Moreau's choice of oil paint on canvas as his primary medium places him squarely within the academic tradition of fine art painting. Yet, he pushes this tradition to its limits, using the material to evoke a dreamlike world that transcends conventional artistic boundaries. This work challenges us to reconsider such categories, recognizing the artist's vision in this compelling work.