Orpheus troost Eurydice 1765 - 1781

Jean Grandjean created this black and white drawing, Orpheus Comforting Eurydice. The composition centres on the figures of Orpheus and Eurydice, set against a backdrop of dense foliage. It invites a mood of tender melancholy. The artist uses closely packed fine lines to create areas of light and shade, which gives the drawing its texture. The composition is arranged so that the natural world mirrors the emotional exchange between the figures. Orpheus’s body language appears active while Eurydice's posture indicates passive grief. The tree behind them bends in a similar way to how she does, thus mirroring her emotional state through form. The technique employed here reflects broader artistic concerns of the period. The image plays with balance and contrast which are key elements of neoclassicism. This emphasis suggests that the visual and emotional impact hinges on balance, and the artist seeks to convey that message through form.