The artwork titled “Sorrow,” created by the illustrious artist Jacques-Louis David in the year 1773, is a poignant portrait rendered in chalk on paper. Embodied in the Neoclassical art movement, the piece measures 53.5 by 41 centimeters. The portrait genre is deftly employed to convey the depth of emotion suggested by its title. This particular work of art is housed in the renowned École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) located in Paris, France.
The artwork features a solemn female subject, her gaze diverted slightly upwards and away from direct viewer engagement, suggesting introspection or a reaction to an unseen event that has evoked her sorrow. The woman’s face is detailed with delicate chiaroscuro, demonstrating David’s mastery of light and shadow to create depth and three-dimensionality. She is adorned with a headpiece seemingly made of leaves or flowers, which, along with her classicized attire, underscores the Neoclassical penchant for motifs from antiquity. The somber tone is further accentuated by the muted palette and the visible strokes of chalk on paper, lending both a raw immediacy and a soft tenderness to the piece. In sum, the artwork exudes a profound emotional resonance, characteristic of David’s exceptional skill in capturing the human experience.