Felice Giani

Prometheus Creating the First Man

c. 1810-1815
In this boldly executed drawing by one of the leading Italian Neoclassical draughtsmen, the mythical figure of Prometheus is shown as the sculptor who first made man. The goddess Athena gives life to the artist's creation by placing a butterfly, symbol of the soul, on the man's head.
Artist
Title
Prometheus Creating the First Man
Date
c. 1810-1815
Medium
Drawing
Materials
pen and brown ink with brown wash over graphite on tan wove paper
Dimensions
50.1 x 37.4 cm
Nationality
Italian
Credit line
Purchased 1993
Accession number
37115