Schikgodin Lachesis 1788 - 1819

Jean Prud'hon made this print, "Schikgodin Lachesis," using a combination of engraving and etching techniques. The image depicts Lachesis, one of the three Fates in Greek mythology, spinning the thread of life. Look closely, and you can see how Prud'hon used lines and shading to create a sense of depth and texture, almost like a drawing, not a print. The act of spinning itself is central here. In Prud’hon’s time, spinning was a common domestic task, often associated with women's work and the making of textiles. Lachesis embodies both the mundane labor of spinning and its potent symbolic association with destiny. By depicting a mythological figure engaged in this everyday task, Prud'hon connects the classical world with the realities of 18th-century life. He elevates the craft of spinning to a timeless, universal symbol of human existence. This print reminds us that even the simplest, most repetitive tasks can be imbued with profound meaning and cultural significance.