Lycidas en Myrson 1789

This print, *Lycidas en Myrson*, was crafted by Louis Michel Halbou sometime in the 18th century. The composition is strikingly neoclassical. Two male figures are positioned in a carefully arranged natural setting, complete with cascading water and rocky outcrops. Note how Halbou uses line and shading to define form. The figures are rendered with precise outlines, and the textures of the rocks and foliage are meticulously detailed through intricate hatching and cross-hatching. The light is also carefully managed, with highlights and shadows creating a sense of depth and volume. The image may appear idyllic, yet its structural rigor suggests an underlying intellectual framework. This structured approach transforms what might be a simple pastoral scene into a commentary on the artist’s world. Halbou challenges us to reconsider what we think we know about nature, desire, and representation.