The artwork titled “Young Thracian Woman Carrying the Head of Orpheus” is an oil painting created by the artist Gustave Moreau around 1875. This piece belongs to the Symbolism art movement and falls within the genre of mythological painting. Currently held in a private collection, the painting exquisitely captures a scene rich in myth and allegory.
In the artwork, a young Thracian woman is depicted delicately holding the severed head of Orpheus, the legendary musician and poet from Greek mythology renowned for his ability to charm all living things with his music. The background presents a dramatic landscape bathed in the twilight of either dawn or dusk, emphasizing the melancholic ambiance. The woman’s ornate attire and the intricate details in her jewelry and embroidered garment highlight Moreau’s attention to opulence and minute refinements, consistent with the stylistic tendencies of Symbolism. The subdued yet vivid play of colors, combined with the ethereal quality of the scene, underscores the mythological and symbolic essence of the narrative being portrayed.
