Julie Le Brun as Atalanta
Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun
Oil on Canvas, 1795
Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun
Oil on Canvas, 1795
This painting by Le Brun is done in the classic late Rococo style—delicate colors, soft curving form, and dreamy, ethereal aesthetic. Le Brun was also known for painting female mythological characters, modeling their faces after either her own (or during her later years) her daughter's. In this work, Atalanta is modeled after her daughter. The moment depicted in this piece appears to be after Atalanta picks up the apple of discord during her race with Hippomenes. Atalanta is depicted as a very conventionally beautiful woman, which reflects Ovid's account: "fōrmaene bonō praestantior esset"(10.563). Furthermore, Le Brun portrays Atalanta in graceful movement, which effectively enhances her beauty. The way in which her flowing motion makes her more attractive is relayed by Hippomenes in the story: "et cursus facit ipse decorem"(10.590).
Atalanta e Ippomene (Atalanta and Hippomenes)
Guido Reni 1625
Oil on Canvas
Prado Museum in Madrid
Guido Reni 1625
Oil on Canvas
Prado Museum in Madrid
As one of the first distinctly Baroque artists, Guido Reni used his training in the Bolognese school of classicism to depict Atalanta and Hippomemenes mid-race. The unmistakably Bolognese elements are the rendering of classically elegant and beautifully proportioned figures and the rich, dark color palette--so dark that it is even tenebristic, considering the heavy chiaroscuro (undoubtedly influenced by Caravaggio). Overall, Reni is able to render the classical beauty of these two figures extremely well; the detail and lifelike quality to the flesh is astounding. Reni even stays true to the details of the story, giving Atalanta the crimson blush over her marble-like white skin: "quam cum super ātria vēlum / candida purpureum simulātās īnficit umbrās"(10.895-6). Furthermore, seeing Atalanta in motion accentuates her body and elegance. In this piece, Atalanta and Hippomenes definitely have the beauty one would expect from the likes of Venus and Apollo, just as Venus herself said: "quāle meum, vel quāle tuum"(10.875)