Man with a Cornucopia and Seated Woman

Man with a Cornucopia and Seated Woman by Jacques-Louis David is a critical preparatory drawing dating from the late 1770s, a formative time immediately following the French artist's initial Roman sojourn. This piece is classified as a drawing, executed using the specialized technique of transfer tracing on oiled laid paper. This method allowed David, the foremost champion of the Neoclassical movement, to transfer compositional details precisely to a final canvas or larger preparatory work. The period 1751 to 1775 saw the early flourishing of academic classicism, a rigorous tradition David would soon redefine with his emphasis on historical drama and clear line work.

The subject matter clearly employs classical iconography. A male figure dominates the scene, holding a cornucopia, a vessel traditionally associated with Copia or Abundance, often linked to mythological figures like Ceres or Fortuna. Beside him, a seated woman is depicted, possibly representing a muse, personification, or perhaps the intended recipient of the bounty suggested by the horn of plenty.

As a key example of David’s drawing technique, the work emphasizes precise outlines and dynamic forms, showcasing the Neoclassical focus on idealized anatomy and narrative clarity. The use of tracing indicates meticulous planning necessary for monumental history paintings, though the final destination of the composition featured in Man with a Cornucopia and Seated Woman is not fully known. The delicate handling of the paper and the linear clarity demonstrate David’s commitment to academic rigor.

Currently residing in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., this drawing remains an important reference point for studying the development of the French school in the late eighteenth century. Although the original medium is fragile, high-quality photographic prints of David’s influential preparatory works, which often enter the public domain after extended curation, ensure broad access to this significant historical artifact.