Perseus and the Origin of Coral

Perseus and the Origin of Coral is a highly detailed drawing created by the master landscapist Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) between 1668 and 1674. This preparatory study, executed late in the artist’s career, demonstrates his sophisticated command of draftsmanship and light. The work employs a complex mixed-media technique, utilizing black chalk and both sepia and black ink. Extensive use of sepia and gray wash establishes deep atmospheric perspective and tonal modulation, which is selectively punctuated by white heightening to capture reflections and highlights.

The subject illustrates a lesser-known moment from Ovid's Metamorphoses, detailing the origin of coral. After defeating Medusa, the hero Perseus rests her severed head upon a bed of seaweed. When the Gorgon's blood touches the aquatic plants, they instantly harden and crystallize, forming coral. This mythological event serves as a foundation for Lorrain to blend dynamic figure work with his expertise in classical Landscapes. The setting is characteristic of the artist’s style, featuring sweeping vistas and the dramatic interaction between human activity and the sublime natural world.

This piece, classified as a drawing, provides vital insight into the working methods and technical precision of Lorrain as he neared the end of his life. The composition balances narrative action with the atmospheric serenity for which the artist is renowned. Today, this significant artwork remains housed in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although the original drawing is fragile, high-quality images and Perseus and the Origin of Coral prints are often accessible through the museum’s archival efforts, frequently entering the public domain.