Antigone & Ismene

1833–75

Not on view

This small image may be Stevens's first idea for a figural grouping in a mural scheme. It captures the interaction of Antigone and Ismene, daughters of Oedipus who appear in Sophocles play "Antigone" as opposing types. Their differences are brought into focus by the death of their brother Polyneices when their uncle Creon, ruler of Thebes, forbids the body to be retrieved and buried. In response, Ismene urges compliance but Antigone is determined to disobey. Later in the play, Antigone is herself condemned to be buried alive and Ismene offers to share that punishment.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Antigone & Ismene
Artist: Alfred George Stevens (British, Blandford Forum, Dorset 1817–1875 London)
Date: 1833–75
Medium: Black chalk on thin sheet of paper, pasted down
Dimensions: 6 7/8 × 4 in. (17.5 × 10.2 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Bequest of Harvey Salzman, 2020
Object Number: 2022.25.13
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Drawing for Spencer's Fairie Queene, Alfred George Stevens British, Graphite — Drawing for Spencer's Fairie Queene
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The Lake of Zug, Joseph Mallord William Turner British, Watercolor and bodycolor (gouache) with reductive techniques over graphite — The Lake of Zug
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The Entombment, Sir Edward Burne-Jones British, Green, blue, brown and touches of reddish bodycolor, heightened with white gouache (bodycolor) on green paper — The Entombment
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Corridor in the Asylum, Vincent van Gogh Dutch, Brush and oils over black chalk on pink laid paper — Corridor in the Asylum
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