Composer Luigi Cherubini and Muse
7:00 AM |
| Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Composer Luigi Cherubini and Muse, 1842 |
By MISSY ROSENTHAL
Ingres' Composer Luigi Cherubini and Muse epitomizes the neoclassical movement. Cherubini was a composer of the romantic background who wrote mostly sacred music. He composed 29 operas including: 15 in Italian and 14 in French. Cherubini was inspired by other famous composers such as, Ludwig van Beethoven and Christoph Gluck. Ingres chose the composer Luigi Cherubini to showcase in his work, in order to illustrate Ingres’ own goal in his art. Like Ingres aimed to achieve his work, Cherubini sought to follow the tenants of the neoclassical movement, by emulating works of the great composers and reinventing their styles of music through his own interpretation.
In addition to the main subject of the piece, Ingres includes the muse of lyric poetry, Erato. Erato's hand is placed directly above Cherubini's head, illustrating that the composer draws inspiration from his classical predecessors. Ingres use of rich color greatly enhances the painting. The artist's contrast between black and white draws the eye towards Cherubini at first glance. He uses red and gold in his columns to frame, as well as balance the piece. The colors can also be interpreted as a reflection of the bloodshed caused by the decadent lifestyle of the aristocracy, during the French Revolution.
The harsh lines in the background also allow the viewer to focus on the subjects. While the harp begins a downward diagonal also drawing the audience to the central figure, Cherubini. Composer Luigi Cherubini and Muse describes the neoclassical movement through its subject matter and masterful execution.
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