Pygmalion, 1842
Honoré Daumierexpand_more
Lithographexpand_more
Gift of Mrs. Charles C. Bovey, 1924expand_more P.9,140
Not on Viewexpand_more
The mythological Pygmalion was a sculptor who carved a woman of such perfection that he fell in love with it. The sculptor offered his creation gifts, dressed it, and prayed to Venus that he might be loved in return. In due course the love goddess answered his prayers by turning his statue into flesh. In Daumier's interpretation of this myth, a shocked Pygmalion gasps as his statue comes to life and immediately reaches down to take a pinch of snuff.
Details
- Title
- Pygmalion
- Artist Life
- 1808–1879
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.9,140
- Provenance
- Sarah Bernhardt, Paris (until d. 1923; her sale, part 2, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, July 23, 1923, part of 27 albums in no. 723). [Weyhe Gallery, New York, until 1924; sold 27 albums, for $600, to Bovey for MIA]; Mrs. Charles C. Bovey, Minneapolis (1924; gave 27 albums to MIA)
- Catalogue Raisonne
- L.D. 0971 iii/iii; H-D 1947
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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