Sir Frank Short, R.A., P.R.E. 1857-1945.
Orpheus and Eurydice (after George Frederic Watts, R.A., H.R.C.A. 1817 - 1904). The painting is on the right. 1889. Mezzotint. Hardie 54.12 5/8 x 19 1/2 (sheet 17 1/8 x 23 3/ 8). Edition 300. A rich proof printed on Japon paper. Exhibited in 1889 at the Exposition Universelle, Paris, where it was awarded a gold medal. Signed in pencil by Watts, Short, and by the printer, Frederick Goulding. $1,750.
Watts treated the subject of 'Orpheus and Eurydice' twice; once in vertical and once in horizontal format.
Orpheus' wife, Eurydice, while fleeing from Aristaeus (son of Apollo), ran into a nest of snakes which bit her fatally on her heel. Distraught, Orpheus played such sad songs and sang so mournfully that all the nymphs and gods wept. On their advice, Orpheus traveled to the underworld and by his music softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone. The agreed to allow Eurydice to return with him to earth on one condition: he should walk in front of her and not look back until they both had reached the upper world. In his anxiety he forgot that both needed to be in the upper world, and he turned to look at her, and she vanished for the second time, but now forever.
Allinson Gallery Index.
To order, to report broken links or to be placed on the email list, please contact Jane Allinson (allinson@earthlink.net) or send a fax to (860) 429 2825.