Femme drapée volant, tenant une lyre 1893 - 1896

Pierre Puvis de Chavannes's "Femme drapée volant, tenant une lyre" is a charcoal drawing that showcases the artist's signature style of simplified forms and muted tones. The composition centers around a single, draped female figure who holds a lyre and reaches upwards towards a branch of laurel leaves, symbolizing victory and the arts. This drawing likely served as a preparatory study for a larger work, reflecting Chavannes's approach to art-making and his interest in classical themes and symbolism. This artwork is a testament to Chavannes's influence on late 19th-century French art, as he embraced a poetic and idealized aesthetic that would shape the work of artists for generations to come.