Perseus and Andromeda 1865

François-Nicolas Chifflart created this etching, Perseus and Andromeda, in the 19th century. The composition is dominated by dynamic lines and stark contrasts, characteristic of the etching technique. Observe how the artist manipulates light and shadow to heighten the drama of the scene. The composition is structured around diagonals, from the rearing horse to Andromeda’s bound figure, creating a sense of movement and tension. The use of line, particularly in the rendering of musculature and drapery, is energetic and expressive. Chifflart is not just illustrating a mythological narrative but exploring the formal possibilities of his medium. The stark contrasts and intricate details ask us to question how traditional mythological subjects can be reinterpreted through innovative formal techniques. The composition challenges fixed meanings, and prompts ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.