Slavenveiling 1739 - 1797

"Slavenveiling" (Slave Auction) is an etching by French artist Pierre François Basan, created between 1739 and 1797. The print depicts a scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses, where the beautiful young man Narcissus, captivated by his own reflection in a pool of water, transforms into a flower. The etching is a fine example of Basan's skill in capturing the details of human anatomy and drapery. The print is currently held at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The scene depicts a reclining nude figure, likely Narcissus, surrounded by other figures including Cupid and a nymph.