Val van Phaëthon 1824

"Val van Phaëthon" (1824) is a drawing by Dutch artist Roelof van der Meulen, depicting the mythological tale of Phaethon's fall from the sky. In Greek mythology, Phaethon, son of the sun god Helios, was granted permission to drive the sun chariot for a day, but lost control, causing havoc on Earth. Van der Meulen's drawing captures the dramatic moment of Phaethon's plummet, with his body contorted in a desperate attempt to regain control as he plunges towards the earth. This drawing, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, is a testament to Van der Meulen's artistic talent and his ability to bring classical myth to life.