Helen of Troy 1898

Evelyn De Morgan created ‘Helen of Troy’ using oil paints, a medium allowing for smooth gradations of color and meticulous detail, characteristic of the late Pre-Raphaelite style. The glossy, reflective surface of the oil paint enhances the opulent scene. The artist renders with care the diaphanous fabric of Helen’s dress, and coiling forms of her abundant hair. The smooth surface of the mirror she holds, and the creamy plumage of the doves draw your attention, and their reflective qualities further underscore the artifice of beauty. De Morgan would have built up the painting in layers, a labor-intensive process demanding both time and skill, from grinding and mixing the pigments, to the careful layering of glazes. In ‘Helen of Troy,’ De Morgan uses these traditional techniques to give a mythological subject a tactile and sensual presence, inviting us to consider the labor and social context inherent in the creation, and consumption of such alluring imagery.