La Famine par l'ordre de Ceres ...
Medium
pen and black ink and brush and black ink with gray wash
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Widener Collection
Accession Number
1942.9.1010
Art Historical Context
In the Widener Collection of the National of Art, *La Famine par l'ordre de Ceres (Famine by the Order oferes), a captivating 1767 drawing by artist Jean-Michel Moreau, the dramatic tensions of classical mythology. Created during the Enlightenment era under Louis XV, when interest in ancient stories flourished, the work likely depicts Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture commanding famine as punishment—perhaps alluding to tales like Demeter's wrath in Greek lore. Moreau, a master illustrator renowned for his contributions to lavish books and theater designs, captures this moment with Rococo...