Paris and Helen (Anonymous Tracing after d ’Hancarville)

Paris and Helen (Anonymous Tracing after d ’Hancarville) is an early work associated with the influential Neoclassical master Jacques Louis David, executed between 1770 and 1785. Classified as a drawing, this piece was rendered using pen and brown ink on tracing paper. The use of tracing suggests this study derived from illustrations of classical antiquities, likely those published by Pierre François Hugues d’Hancarville, who extensively documented collections of Greek and Roman art during the period.

David, a pivotal figure in the development of French Neoclassicism, frequently turned to classical sources to refine his technique and compositional rigor, actively rejecting the decorative style of the preceding Rococo era. The drawing depicts the mythological couple Paris and Helen, whose illicit romance and elopement provided the catalyst for the legendary Trojan War. Subjects rooted in classical mythology and history were highly prized during the Enlightenment for their perceived moral gravity and heroic narratives, aligning perfectly with David’s emerging artistic mission.

The precision of the line work and the emphasis on idealized human anatomy are characteristic of David’s commitment to academic mastery. This study reflects the nascent phase of the Neoclassical movement, where adherence to ancient models and rigorous drawing practice were paramount. This historically significant work is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, providing important insight into the artist’s formative processes. As a celebrated classical study, the image often enters the public domain, allowing institutions and enthusiasts globally to access high-quality prints for scholarly study and art appreciation.