Jason and Eros
Artist: Gustave Moreau (French, 1826–1898)
Date: 1890-1891
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Private collection
Description
At the heart of a narrow, wooded valley the almost naked figure of Jason brandishes the ram’s head in his right hand. The bloody corpse of the dragon, from whom he seized his trophy, lies at the bottom of the altar on which the Golden Fleece was originally placed. The hero, whose adonis-like physique draws upon Donatello’s David, carries on his left arm a haloed putto representing Eros, the god of love, thanks to whom Jason managed to acquire the Fleece. As is usual in Moreau’s later works, the texture of the glistening paint surface is thick and highly wrought. Two small harpies, symbolising lurking death, flutter on the right-hand side.