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Perseus and the Origin of Coral

ca. 1671
Not on view
The rarely depicted subject of Perseus and the Origin of Coral is derived from Ovid's Metamorphoses. This drawing is one of seven known preparatory studies for one of Claude's most important late paintings: "Coast View with Perseus and the Origin of Coral" (Coke Collection, Holkham Hall, Norfolk), four of which depict the entire composition. The painting was commissioned by his patron, Cardinal Camillo Massimi, and executed in 1674.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Perseus and the Origin of Coral
  • Artist: Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) (French, Chamagne 1604/5?–1682 Rome)
  • Date: ca. 1671
  • Medium: Black chalk, sepia and black ink, sepia and gray wash heightened with white
  • Dimensions: 10 x 12 13/16 in. (25.4 x 32.5 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.661
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection
More Artwork
The Trojan Women Setting Fire to Their Fleet, Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée)  French, Oil on canvas
Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée)
ca. 1643
Ceramic Horn, Glazed pottery, French
French
late 18th or early 19th century
Landscape with Sheep, Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée)  French, Black chalk, sepia ink and wash, heightened with white gouache.
Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée)
ca. 1648
Queen Esther Approaching the Palace of Ahasuerus, Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée)  French, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, heightened with white, over black chalk
Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée)
1658
Guitar, Jean-Baptiste Voboam  French, Spruce, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, ivory, ebony, French
attributed to Jean-Baptiste Voboam
1697

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