Study for Les Jeunes Filles et la Mort (Death and the Maidens) by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes

Study for Les Jeunes Filles et la Mort (Death and the Maidens) c. 1872

drawing, pencil

drawing

charcoal drawing

figuration

pencil

symbolism

academic-art

This charcoal study by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, created in 1872, is a preparatory sketch for his famous painting, "Les Jeunes Filles et la Mort" (Death and the Maidens). The drawing features two women in flowing robes, one holding a flower, representing life and death. The simplicity of the composition and the subtle shading evoke a sense of tranquility and contemplation, characteristic of Chavannes' symbolist style. The drawing is a testament to the artist's meticulous planning process, capturing the essence of his final masterpiece.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

⋮

This drawing depicts two figure studies for "Les Jeunes Filles et la Mort (The Young Maidens and Death)," a painting rejected from the Salon of 1872. In the painting, two groups of girls, one pair dancing in th background, the other standing pensively in the foreground, seem to be ignorant of the grim reaper lurking on the left side of the composition. The recent Franco-Prussian War inspired many late 19th century French painters to examine themes about the transience of life. While the face of the figure on the left is rather generalized in appearance, the misshapen ear may identify the model as Princess Marie Cantazucène, Puvis de Chavanne's longtime companion and eventual wife. Apparently self-conscious, the princess often covered her ears with her hair or scarf in portraits. The drawing has been squared for transfer.