Rape of the Sabines
18th century
Medium
Black chalk, heightened with lead white (discolored), on tan wove paper, tipped on blue laid paper, tipped on tan wove paper
Dimensions
18.2 × 23.2 cm (7 3/16 × 9 3/16 in.)
Classification
chalk
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
3387
Art Historical Context
This evocative 18th-century drawing *Rape of the Sab*, captures a pivotal moment from Roman mythology: the legendary abduction Sabine women by Romulus men to secure wives and ensure Rome's survival. Rooted in ancient histories by Livy and Plutarch, the subject was a staple in Western art, symbolizing primal passion, conquest, and the founding of Rome. Though by an unknown artist, its dynamic composition likely conveys the chaos and energy of the scene through fluid figures in motion. Executed in black chalk heightened with lead white—now discolored for a subtle patina—on tan wove paper, the w...