Phryne Before the Areopagus 1740 - 1765

Jean-Baptiste Deshays created "Phryne Before the Areopagus" using chalk and charcoal, heightened with white, on paper. Look closely at the drawing and you'll notice how Deshay's use of chalk and charcoal brings a unique texture to the work. The roughness of the charcoal creates depth and shadow, while the chalk adds highlights, giving the figures a three-dimensional quality. The paper itself is a material, providing a warm tone that influences the overall aesthetic. The process of drawing, unlike painting, allows for immediate expression. Deshays' hand is evident in the sketch-like quality of the lines, giving the scene a sense of immediacy. This directness allows the viewer to connect with the drama unfolding in the courtroom, challenging any neat divide between the fine arts and the crafts. The medium is intrinsic to the work's meaning, the material becomes the message.