Back to gallery
The Sacred Elephant

Art Appreciation

This evocative artwork presents a majestic elephant, adorned in elaborate, richly detailed fabrics and jewels, standing gracefully in a lush, watery landscape. Atop the elephant's back sits a serene figure, cloaked in mysterious regalia, embodying a sense of divine or royal presence. Surrounding them are ethereal angels with colorful wings, their forms almost translucent, lending a heavenly aura to the scene. The use of watercolor and delicate brushwork creates a dreamlike atmosphere, with soft blending of colors from warm sunset hues to the cool greens and blues of the foliage.

The composition masterfully balances the monumental figure of the elephant with the lightness of the angels, drawing the viewer's eye upward and evoking a sense of spiritual elevation. The muted yet vibrant palette, combined with intricate detailing, invites contemplation of a mythic narrative or sacred ritual. Painted in 1882, this piece reflects a 19th-century fascination with exotic subjects and symbolism, entwining nature, spirituality, and the fantastical into a captivating visual poem.

The Sacred Elephant

Gustave Moreau

Category:

Created:

1882

Likes:

0

Dimensions:

4592 × 5928 px
435 × 570 mm

Download:

Related artworks

The Dragon with Several Heads and the Dragon with Several Tails
Portrait said to be Mademoiselle Marie-Catherine Colombe as Venus
Adam and Eve or Paradise Lost
The Voyage of Life: Youth
The Story of Anacreon1 Cupid at the Door in a Rainstorm