Basin Supported by Sphinxes by Jacques-Louis David is an impressive study of architectural design and classical motif, executed circa 1775-1780. This significant drawing, rendered in red chalk and gray wash on laid paper, exemplifies the rigorous academic discipline David pursued while studying the antique world in Rome. The combination of media allows the artist to define both line (via the red chalk) and volume (via the wash), giving the composition a sculptural solidity that anticipates his later, celebrated paintings.
The composition presents a monumental basin intended for use as a fountain or lavabo, supported by two formidable sphinxes flanking a central pedestal. David’s design is characterized by severe Neoclassical symmetry and gravity, prioritizing classical purity and clarity over the playful excesses of the preceding Rococo era. The incorporation of the sphinx motif speaks directly to the increasing influence of archeological discovery and the fashion for Egyptian and ancient Mediterranean imagery that defined the Grand Tour and the development of the French style during this period.
This piece serves as an essential record of David’s formative years as he transitioned from student to master. Although the specific execution date falls just past the latter end of the broader classification period, the drawing clearly embodies the aesthetic sensibilities of the era spanning 1751 to 1775, a crucial time for the establishment of Neoclassicism in French art. The drawing demonstrates David’s early skill in creating illusionistic depth and monumental scale purely through draftsmanship and tonal contrast. This key work is currently held within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., offering insight into the early development of one of the 18th century’s most influential artists. As with many important historical drawings of this period, the imagery is frequently reproduced, and high-quality prints are often available through public domain collections.
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