The Fall of Phaeton

1745/1750

Gaspare Diziani

Associated Names
Gaspare Diziani

Artist, Venetian, 1689 - 1767

This is a drawing of a mythological scene involving a chariot pulled by horses. The drawing depicts two powerful horses pulling a chariot at high speed through the sky. The chariot is being driven energetically. Beneath, there are figures in expressive poses looking up towards the chariot. The image is created using ink and wash, giving a dynamic and fluid sense with lines suggesting motion and loose, expressive forms. The figures are drawn in a classical style with an emphasis on motion and emotion.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink over red chalk with brown and gray wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Andrew W. Mellon Fund

  • Dimensions

    Overall (approximate): 40.7 x 33 cm (16 x 13 in.)
    support: 50.6 x 43.4 cm (19 15/16 x 17 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1978.52.3

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Armand Louis de Mestral de Saint Saphorin [1738-1806]; Marguerite and Madeline de Mestral; Rene de Cerenville, Lausanne; Nathan Chaikin; David Daniels; (sold, Sotheby's, London, 25 April 1978, no. 37); (David Tunick, Inc.); acquired 1978 by the National Gallery of Art.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1983

  • Graphics Survey Exhibition, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., May 1983.

1994

  • The Glory of Venice: Art in the Eighteenth Century, Royal Academy of Arts, London, and National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, 267, 269, 449, no. 173 (repro. p. 269, color)(entry by Margherita Giacometti).

2014

  • The Poetry of Light - La poesia della luce: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, Museo Correr, Venice, Venice, 2014 - 2015, no. 76.

Bibliography

1974

  • Pignatti, Terisio. _ Venetian Drawings from American Collections_. Washingon, 1974: 32, 57.

1981

  • Pignatti, Teresio. Disegni antichi del Museo Correr di Venezia. Vol. II (Dall'Oglio-Fontebasso). Venice, 1981: 122.

1994

  • The Glory of Venice. Exh. cat. Royal Academy of Arts, London; National Gallery of Art, Washington; Museo del Settecento Veneziano - Ca'Rezzonico, Venice; Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice, 1994-1995: 267, 269, 449, no. 173.

Inscriptions

in unknown hand, lower left in brown ink on mount: S." Ritchi

Watermarks

circle

Wikidata ID

Q64571021

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