Plate XLIII - Ariadne
Ariadne is seen, in plate XLIII, just awaking after
the fatal sleep during which Theseus had deserted her.
The ship of her ungrateful paramour is seen in the
distance. The subject was much admired by the ancients,
and the figure of Ariadne is full of grace. The sea is
represented of a deep-blue colour which contrasts well
with the figures, and the sky almost mixes with the
horizon. The right hand of Ariadne is here in the
favourite position of the painter. Her hair is, as
usual, auburn, and her robe is rose-colour very
prettily shaded. Xenophon, in the Banquet of
Socrates, insinuates that Bacchus and Ariadne were
favourite subjects for eating-rooms. In this house we
accordingly find a repetition in the chamber of Leda,
as exhibited in plate
XLIX. |