Prometheus geketend 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos created this drawing, "Prometheus Bound," using pen in grey-brown ink and grey wash. The figure of Prometheus dominates the composition, sprawled diagonally across the frame. Van den Bos uses a combination of thin, wiry lines and broad washes to model Prometheus's body, emphasizing its musculature and vulnerability. Diagonal hatching suggests both the rocky terrain to which Prometheus is chained and a sense of dynamic tension. The stark contrast between the light tones of Prometheus's body and the darker, more densely worked areas around him serves to isolate the figure, highlighting his suffering. The overall effect is one of dramatic intensity, reflecting the tragic grandeur of the Prometheus myth. Consider how the artist invites us to contemplate not just the narrative of punishment but also the formal elements through which that narrative is conveyed.