The Goddess of the Harvest
19th century
Here we see the Goddess of the Harvest taking a well-deserved nap! François-Léon Benouville drew this scene in 1852, showing a reclining woman—likely Ceres—clutching a sickle while a hardworking cherub hauls a giant bundle of wheat behind her. The semi-circular shape suggests this was a design for a lunette, perhaps meant to decorate a ceiling or an archway. It’s a perfect example of Neoclassical art, mixing mythological grandeur with a very human need for a snooze.
- Technique
- Ink wash drawing
- Material
- Paper