The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis (1818) by Jacques-Louis David

The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis - Jacques-Louis David - 1818

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Artwork Information

TitleThe Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis
ArtistJacques-Louis David
Date1818
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions103 x 87 cm
Art MovementNeoclassicism
Current LocationJ. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA, US

About The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis

“The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis” is an oil on canvas artwork created by the French neoclassical artist Jacques-Louis David in 1818. Measuring 103 cm by 87 cm, this mythological painting is an exemplar of the Neoclassicism art movement. The artwork is part of the collection at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, United States.

The artwork portrays a tender and emotive scene drawing upon classical mythology. It depicts Telemachus, dressed in a blue cloak adorned with golden details, embracing Eucharis, a figure in a diaphanous, flowing red gown. Her head is inclined and rests gently against his chest, suggesting a moment full of pathos as they bid each other farewell. Telemachus holds a spear in his right hand, evoking his readiness for the challenges that lie ahead. The characters’ facial expressions convey a blend of affection and sorrow, rooted in their imminent separation.

Attention to detail is evident in the drapery of their clothing, the textures, and the accessories, such as Eucharis’s golden bracelet and Telemachus’s arm guard. The classical ideal of beauty is celebrated through the figures’ serene and idealized features. The muted background allows the viewer to focus entirely on the emotional gravity of the two figures in the foreground. The use of lighting and shadow further emphasizes the forms and contributes to the dramatic atmosphere of the scene, a hallmark of David’s neoclassical style. The nuanced depiction of human emotions and the exquisite rendering of the figures’ anatomy reflect the artist’s mastery in portraying mythological narratives with a sense of immediacy and psychological depth.

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