Jacques-Louis David: Sappho and Phaon
The great David was commissioned to paint this work by none other than Nikolay Yusupov - the father of the subject of yesterday's painting.
Sappho is shown sitting in a chair at the foot of a bed in a classically
decorated room with columns, a marble floor and a view to a rural
landscape outside (with Venus's
birds, doves, sitting on the doorstep). Phaon stands behind the chair
holding a spear and bow. On her knee is a scroll with some of her verses
in praise of Phaon and Cupid kneels in front of her, holding up her
lyre, which she tries to play with her right hand whilst leaning her
head back to let Phaon cradle her head in his left arm. [from Wikipedia]
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