Helena's embarkment 

Ambroise Dubois rendered "Helena's Embarkment" in brown wash on paper. It's a traditional art material, but its application here is quite telling. Wash, a diluted ink or watercolor, allowed Dubois to create tonal depth and volume with ease, a technique well-suited to preparatory sketches. The sketch captures a pivotal moment from Greek mythology, but seen through a lens of labor. Look at the figures struggling to load the ship with goods and livestock. Dubois uses the wash to emphasize the weight and strain, mirroring the effort required for maritime trade during his time. Dubois was connected to the second School of Fontainebleau, known for its Mannerist style. While rooted in classical themes, the school embraced decorative, often extravagant aesthetics. However, in this scene, Dubois strips away the pomp, focusing on the grit and exertion of those enabling Helena's journey. The amount of work in the production process is evident. Dubois would have been acutely aware of the human effort that goes into enabling stories of high society. By highlighting the labor involved, he bridges the gap between mythology and the realities of labor, politics, and consumption in his own time.