Mythological Subject 1800 - 1900

This red chalk drawing of a mythological subject was made by an anonymous artist. The scene shows winged figures chaining a kneeling, crowned figure to a column. Other figures, including children, assist with the bondage. Above, a statue looks down. The classical subject matter of this artwork can be better understood in the context of academies of art, which by the 18th and 19th century controlled taste, artistic training, and exhibition. These academies helped to maintain social hierarchies by favoring particular subjects, such as mythology or history, and were thought to be morally uplifting. If we want to know more about the artist's social position, we can start by looking at exhibition records, student lists, or auction catalogs. With this kind of research, what was once anonymous might take on a clearer cultural meaning.