Page 105 - Beholding Liberty!
P. 105
PERISTYLE
I.2.33
Charles-Edouard de Crespy Le Prince (1784 – ca. 1850) Greek at the tomb of Themistocles, 1827
oil on wood, 20 × 20.5 cm
inscribed: ΘΕΜΙΣΤΟΚ (on image, centre of altar) Michael and Demetra Varkarakis Collection
THE FRENCH PAINTER and lithographer Charles-Edouard de Crespy Le Prince (1784 – ca. 1850), pupil of the great neoclassical artist Jacques Louis David, depicts here a work of small propor- tions but also of high symbolisms.
He presents a Greek at the grave of Themistocles – according to the inscription on the altar, in the center of the composition. Therefore, it is about a fighter, who swears for the defence of the freedom,
just like the historic leader of the Athenian fleet did. He awaits the modern Greek, to open up in the open sea behind him, on his small vessel, where the mast holds the flag with a cross. The emotional tension of the scene is highlighted by the feverish colours of the horizon, in the background.
In this artistic way, the Greeks who claim their freedom are presented to be in a direct dialogue and experien- tial relationship with their ancestral role model heroes.
THE AWAKENING OF HELLENISM From Enlightenment to Patriotism 105
