This is an 18th Century artwork, which is so advanced for its time, that Medea looks like an Art Nouveau heroine in a Black and White silent movie!.

This engraving is after Charles Dominique Eisen, and comes from a French edition of Ovid's "Metamorphoses" circa 1790-1800

Charles Eisen was a star in his time and a draughtsman to the King.

Medea, the famous character in the Opera, and a magician, knows how to rejuvenate the dead with special herbs she burns or dips in water.

We see her surrounded by torches on poles, while the smoke enshrouds a sumptuous Greek building, as she is a King's daughter.

At her feet is her husband's father, Aeson, who will soon become a young man again.

Medea is represented as young, beautiful and because of her mastery of both medicine and fire, powerful.

The agility of her body in the circle of fire, her fearless priestess's gestures in the dark, make for an absolutely memorable piece.

The print subject is framed in a vignette with 18th Century French knots and flowers in the Louis XV style.

At the bottom is Ovid's poem in Latin that describes the scene.

You may want to check 2 other engravings by Charles Dominique Eisen on the US and the French Wikipedia.

They confirm the artist's extraordinary ability to portray women.

CONDITION:

In very good condition. No damage.
Very light foxing in margin due to age. Slight creases at the bottom.

MEASUREMENTS:
Sheet Length: 8 3/4". Width: 6 5/8".
( 22.5 cm) by (17 cm)

Subject Length: 5 7/8". Width: 4 3/8".

( 15 cm) by (11 cm)

Will be shipped Registered Airmail from Paris (very safe!) including insurance and signature at delivery.

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