Pyramus and Thisbe 1617 - 1655

Cornelis Schut's "Pyramus and Thisbe" is a pen-and-brown-ink drawing depicting the tragic lovers from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The scene portrays the lovers' demise as they lay dead after a misunderstanding led to their suicide. Schut masterfully captures the pathos of the moment, with the figures' bodies intertwined in a poignant embrace. The drawing's composition is dynamic, with the figures' bodies forming a dramatic arc. The backdrop of a walled city and a classical urn adds further depth and context to the scene. This work is a testament to Schut's skill as a draftsman, his ability to convey emotion through line and shading.