Louis Jean Desprez. Tomb with Sphinxes and an Owl. 1779–1784. France. Etching and aquatint in brown on cream laid paper This invention of an imaginary Egyptian tomb by the French artist, architect, and stage designer Louis-Jean Desprez was one of a set of four aquatints on the theme that he designed while living in Rome. It combines a sense of theatrical drama with references to Egyptian antiquities, which enjoyed a vogue at the print’s bizarre fantasy (made horrific by the exposed corpse in the open tomb), enhanced by dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, makes it a document of som
Louis Jean Desprez. Tomb with Sphinxes and an Owl. 1779–1784. France. Etching and aquatint in brown on cream laid paper This invention of an imaginary Egyptian tomb by the French artist, architect, and stage designer Louis-Jean Desprez was one of a set of four aquatints on the theme that he designed while living in Rome. It combines a sense of theatrical drama with references to Egyptian antiquities, which enjoyed a vogue at the print’s bizarre fantasy (made horrific by the exposed corpse in the open tomb), enhanced by dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, makes it a document of some importance among the early manifestations in art of pre-romantic sensibilities.
Size: 3000px × 2105px
Photo credit: © WBC ART / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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