Orestes Pursued by the Furies

Paper Summary:

This paper describes and analyzes William-Adolphe Bouguereau's painting entitled "Orestes Pursued by the Furies," after relating the Orestes myth upon which the painting is based. The author describes the painting's complex composition and how its actual and implied lines continuously redirect the observer's attention to different parts of the drama being performed on the canvas. The author analyzes the use of color and tone and their effect in the painting. The author concludes that the fact that both the canvas and figures are larger than life may reflect the painter's conviction of the importance of the moral lessons depicted in the painting.

From the Paper:

"Bouguereau balanced this painting, creating unity as well as discord via many methods including the use of several perceived triangles. Traditionally, the main character would be placed at the apex of the triangle thus creating a hierarchy of people within the painting. In this painting there is an inverted triangle with Clytemnestra and the three Furies creating the long line of the triangle and the lower point of Orestes' white robe creating the apex. There may be many reasons for the inverted triangle, however, it makes sense that Orestes would be the apex as he is the center of the story, the inversion of the triangle creates a discord in the theme of the painting. A triangle created by Orestes' legs on the ground serves to visually stabilize the painting as is traditional in classical painting."

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