Flying Figure Holding a Crown, Reclining River God

Flying Figure Holding a Crown, Reclining River God by Jacques Louis David (1760-1825) is a powerful example of academic draftsmanship from the Neoclassical era. Executed in black chalk, the drawing depicts two monumental male figures drawn from classical antiquity. The primary subject is a muscular reclining river god, a standard mythological motif used to symbolize geography or abundance. Above this weighty figure, a dynamic flying figure, likely a depiction of Victory (Nike), holds aloft a ceremonial crown, suggesting the piece may be a study for a large-scale allegorical or history painting celebrating a triumph.

The execution in black chalk emphasizes volume and anatomy, demonstrating David’s meticulous focus on contour and mass over surface detail. As the leading figure of French Neoclassicism, David centered his academic training and history painting production on the rigorous study of the idealized human form. The inclusion of these nude figures, classified generally under the subject tag of men, was critical to the development of his dramatic, clean style which dominated art during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, an era often intertwined with revolutionary and imperial politics.

This classified drawing holds significant value in tracing David’s preparatory methods for complex compositions across his extensive career. The drawing currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the age and cultural significance of such works, high-resolution images are often placed in the public domain, allowing global access for study and appreciation. High-quality prints of drawings like Flying Figure Holding a Crown, Reclining River God help preserve the legacy of this foundational Neoclassical master.