Coresius dræber sig af kærlighed til Callirboe 1671 - 1738

Hendrik Krock created this drawing titled ‘Coresius dræber sig af kærlighed til Callirboe’ with a sanguine crayon. It portrays a dramatic scene derived from classical mythology, reflecting the 18th-century fascination with ancient narratives. Krock, who served as a court painter, infuses this drawing with a sense of theatricality. We can see the influence of Baroque sensibilities in the exaggerated gestures and emotional intensity of the figures depicted. The story of Coresius sacrificing himself for love invites us to consider the cultural values placed on male honor, sacrifice, and the representation of women as objects of desire. It’s hard to look past the way that Callirhoe is positioned as passive. The red chalk medium lends a warmth to the scene, yet this choice also underscores the violence and passion driving the narrative. This drawing prompts us to reflect on how such stories are used to perpetuate certain ideas about love, gender roles, and power, echoing through centuries of artistic interpretation.