ticketsMember | Make a donation

The Death of Harmonia

ca. 1740–41
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 632

This painting’s subject taken from ancient history—a second-century BCE tale of dynastic succession, murder, and morally motivated self-sacrifice—was nearly as obscure to Pierre’s audiences as it is to us today. The guidebook to the Salon of 1751, where Pierre showed this painting, offered an explanation of what was depicted, evidence of the drawbacks of complex history subjects. Nonetheless, it is easy to appreciate Pierre’s mastery of Baroque dramatic action through poses, facial expressions, and drapery. His decision to exhibit the painting a decade after it was executed was probably prompted by the publication of Charles Nicolas Cochin’s engraving of it in 1751.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Death of Harmonia
  • Artist: Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre (French, Paris 1714–1789 Paris)
  • Date: ca. 1740–41
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 77 1/2 x 58 1/4 in. (196.9 x 148 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harry N. Abrams, by exchange, 1969
  • Object Number: 69.129
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
The Seated Nymph (Une fontaine avec une naïade assise sur une conque), Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre French, Etching
The Seated Nymph (Une fontaine avec une naïade assise sur une conque)
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre
ca. 1740
The Frightened Naïad (Une naïade échevelée recule d'efroi à la vue d'un lion), Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre French, Etching
The Frightened Naïad (Une naïade échevelée recule d'efroi à la vue d'un lion)
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre
ca. 1740
Blind Beggar Seated (Aveugle mendiant assis)
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre
1756
Impromtu Dance (Le Bal improvisé), Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre French, Etching
Impromtu Dance (Le Bal improvisé)
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre
1742
Flight Into Egypt, Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre French, Etching
Flight Into Egypt
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre
1759

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.