Antigone
The Image shown above is titled “Antigone Gives Token Burial to the Body of Her Brother Polynices”. Dated between 1835-1898, French artist Jules-Eugene Lenepveu created this piece to depict an important moment in the story of Antigone. This drawing was made with watercolor, pen and black ink over black chalk on a gray-green paper.
Jules Eugene Lenepveu was a French artist, born December 12th 1819 in Angers, France. He studied at Beaux-Art and worked with François-Édouard Picot in Paris, France. As an artist he became famous for many historical canvases including many famous pieces illustrating Joan of Arc (Wikipedia). Although the above piece was not a well know work of Lenepvue, the 10.8 x 13.9 inch drawing is now part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art (metmueseum.org). This drawing depicts a very important scene in Antigone, when Antigone goes against the authority of King Creon to bury her brother, Polynices.
In the tragedy Antigone’s two brothers Polynices and Eteocles fight for the throne and both brothers die in a duel while fighting for Thebes the city in which they lived. In the light of their deaths, Creon becomes king. The new king oversees that Eteocles is given a burial fit for a king while Polynices is left to rot without even being buried. Antigone, the sister of the two men who passed is outraged by the king’s order for Polynices to be left to rot. As a strong female figure she goes against the orders of King Creon to sneak to the body of Polynices and bury him regardless of the consequences she may face. She does this because she believes that the god’s authority surpasses the authority of the King. Although Polynices and Eteocles fought against each other for the throne Antigone does not want to disrespect her brother because he is her blood and although some may feel as if he was undeserving of a proper burial she believes that the gods would feel differently. She explains that she can never have another brother because her mother and father have died and it is important for her to do right by her brother regardless of the conflicts that occurred prior to his death.
I think that the way in which Lenepveu drew Antigone was different then similar illustrations of the same scene within the story. Antigone looks strong, and determined, she does not seem to be hiding what she is doing as she pours the dirt over her deceased brother. The dark clouds above the city give a very ominous setting. You can see the conflict as you look at the surrounding landscapes. You can see the on lookers who disapprove of the decision Antigone has made to bury Polynices. The dark vial that Antigone wears over her head confirms her mourning. The image of Antigone burying Poylnices shows the defiance of political authority to adhere to the religious law. Antigone is burying the body of Polynices because it is the right thing to do regardless of what the king believes to be right or wrong. Antigone is a strong female figure and stands up for what she believes in. Lenepveu does a wonderful job of illustrating an important moment in the Tragedy Antigone.
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